Mets Morning News: Nobody Knows You When You're Down And Out And Struggling With Your Command And Fatigue (And Other Things)

Meet the Mets

What are we going to do with Johan Santana? Well, we aren't going to do anything -- we're likely not employees of the Mets or even affiliated with the team. But the real question is what are the Mets going to do with Johan after he got knocked around by the Nationals on Friday, en route to a 6-4 defeat? It looks like, for now, they'll do nothing but perhaps a discussion about shutting down the lefty will come in the future. There was some good news, as Johan tossed three perfect innings to open up the night. But the fourth inning turned into a disaster quickly, as Michael Morse crushed a grand slam to right center field. In other good news, Kelly Shoppach hit his first Mets home run. YAY!

Choose Your Recap: MLB.com, ESPN NY, Daily News, New York Times, Associated Press, Star-Ledger, Bergen Record

Game two of the Mets' series in DC with the Nationals takes place this evening at 7:05 PM. Jon Niese looks to get the Mets off the schneid, as he'll face off against Edwin Jackson.

Davey Johnson played some games with the Mets, having the umpires take a look at Johan Santana's glove during the third inning.

Scott Hairston has yet to be placed on waivers by the Mets, though it's likely he will be before the end of the month.

It looks like Kirk Nieuwenhuis will be back with the big league club in September, assuming the foot injury he suffered in early August is fully healed.

Jason Bay's time with the Mets seems to be running out and Bay is just trying to take things day to day.

When the Mets added Ramon Ramirez, Frank Francisco and Jon Rauch to the bullpen last offseason, how many people had Rauch as the best of the three acquisitions? I'm going to guess nobody -- but that's just how unpredictable bullpens can be.

At Fangraphs, Mike Newman has a great look into hardthrowing Mets pitching prospect Domingo Tapia, whose fastball alone could get him to the big leagues. What he ultimately becomes will likely depend on his ability to add a breaking pitch of some sort.

The Twins and the Rochester Red Wings reportedly have agreed to a two year extension of their player development agreement, leaving Buffalo as the only possible available International League team. Unfortunately, it sounds like Buffalo may decide to move on from the Mets and hook up with the Blue Jays, which would send the AAA Mets back to the Pacific Coast League. Leftover options could include Las Vegas, Nashville, Oklahoma City or New Orleans, where the AAA Mets were based in 2006 and 2007.

MLB will begin testing a new instant replay system at Citi Field next week when the Mets head home. The system will be tested in the background for now but may be used by umpires beginning as early as next year. Terry Collins is all in favor of instant replay.

Around the NL East

The Braves won 4-3 over the Dodgers, as Juan Francisco hit a walk off home run in the 10th inning. Meanwhile, the Phillies fell to the Brewers 6-2, while the Marlins defeated the Rockies 6-5.

Around the Majors

Hall of Famer and ex-Met Eddie Murray was charged with insider trading, after earning over $235,000 in illegal profits.

The Cubs are nearing a long term contract extension with shortstop Starlin Castro, which could lock him up for six or seven years.

Derek Jeter hit his 250th home run on Friday. He's also got an Edge with a cool panoramic vista roof!

In order to make room for recently acquired ex-Met Pedro Beato at AAA Pawtucket, the Red Sox released former Cubs' ace Mark Prior. Only 31 years old, Prior struggled with command issues this year and hasn't pitched in the big leagues since 2006.

Many major leaguers think that batting practice before games is a gigantic waste of time. From the point of view of developing bad habits at the plate and such, that seems to make sense.

Everybody loves a good Ump Show and Tim Tschida provided the fans plenty of action, as he tossed out Dodger manager Don Mattingly.