Offday Applesauce

Thanks to last weeks' rainout against the Pirates, Johan Santana was pushed from yesterday's start to Tuesday's, causing this blogger to see Livan Hernandez pitch yesterday at Nationals Park. While the drop off in talent caused some pregame disappointment, Hernandez's performance was quite Santana-esque, minus the strikeouts and greatness.

Meet the Mets

Carlos Beltran's comments about the Pirates have created a minor war of words between Beltran and Pittsburgh first baseman Adam LaRoche. Beltran's rebuttal, however, was not exactly razor sharp:

I say the way I feel. This is how I feel about the team that day. Did he say that [about no class]? I don't agree with him. I've got class and I've got all of what he said I don't have.

Oh well, I guess being the Mets' best position player and being good at insults is too much to ask. Mets Today whines that Beltran's leadership just throws his teammates under the bus.

Minor league pitchers Brad Holt and Jenrry Mejia had strong debuts in Binghamton.

Emil Brown's tenure with the Mets didn't last very long. The outfielder was designated for assignment when Ryan Church was activated from the DL. This means that Fernando Martinez will stay a little longer.

So, how is that Putz trade working out? Putz is now having surgery and the guys we gave up have been kind of productive. We might not have to worry too much about the injury's effect on the bullpen, as Billy Wagner is going to be facing hitters in the minor leagues soon.

Buster Olney asks if Jose Reyes is as good as he's going to get. So what if he is? Is this reason to trade him? Why are we complaining about having one of the best shortstops/leadoff hitters in baseball? Meanwhile, Reyes will be trying Platelet Rich Plasma Therapy to treat his injury.

Besides Carlos Delgado's "crucial" leadership, the Mets are also missing those home runs he hit. 

Around the NL East

Tom Glavine is considering filing a grievance against the Braves. He's also looking at joining the Cardinals.

Tommy Hanson's debut: 6 innings, 6 earned runs, Brave win.

Brave first baseman Casey Kotchman has been placed on the DL for an injured calf.

After the Braves had been shut out in Nate McLouth's first two games, a win made him feel "part of this club".

The Nationals have named Mike MacDougal as their closer, demoting Joel Hanrahan to setup duties.

Rob Dibble and Rob Neyer have gotten into a Twitter fight over Randy Johnson's 300th win. Dibble really wants to go this route? Really? 

Despite some reports saying that the Nationals are taking Stephen Strasburg, Washington GM Mike Rizzo is keeping mum.

Antonio Bastardo had another strong outing, this time against the Dodgers. Jimmy Rollins, who was dropped to sixth in the lineup, thinks he has figured out the problem in his swing. 

Around MLB

Joe Posnanski argues for the ability to trade draft picks. 

A happy clubhouse helps to make the Dodgers good. Pitching, defense, and hitting help too.

The Indians have demoted pitcher Fausto Carmona to rookie ball. Ouch. 

David Eckstein willed a three run home run in the ninth inning yesterday which sent the game into extra innings. The game continued for another nine frames, ending on a Mark Reynolds home run off infielder Josh Wilson. 

Pirate GM Neal Huntington wrote a letter to the fans explaining the Nate McLouth trade saying it was "perhaps the most difficult one personally and professionally that we have made to date."