Mets Call Up Murphy; Niese Possible For Aug 11th

FITM · Aug 2, 2008

Daniel Murphy's Triple-A career lasts one day, gets call to Mets

BY ADAM RUBIN
DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER

Saturday, August 2nd 2008, 12:17 AM

HOUSTON - Daniel Murphy's Triple-A career lasted one day. The 23-year-old prospect is expected to join the Mets for tonight's game against the Astros, the Daily News has learned.

After hitting .308 with 13 homers and 67 RBI at Double-A Binghamton, Murphy debuted with New Orleans last night. He went 1-for-4 and committed an error at third base in a 9-3 win against Tucson and was packing again afterward.

A 13th-round pick in 2006 out of Jacksonville University, Murphy is perhaps the Mets' top minor-league hitter, rivaling teenage phenom Fernando Martinez. He's mostly played third base in his minor-league career, but has also seen action at first base, second base and left field this season.

Murphy may not be the only farmhand joining the Mets soon, either. Top minor-league pitcher Jon Niese could debut on Aug. 11 at Shea, in a rainout makeup against the Pirates. With the Mets scheduled to play 23 straight days beginning Tuesday, Jerry Manuel wants to give a pitcher a spot start that day to lessen the workload on his five starters.

Mets brass said it's too early to commit to a pitcher to face Pittsburgh, and Niese should have one more Triple-A start to state his case. A 21-year-old lefthander with a big curveball, Niese allowed just one run on three hits in seven innings in his Triple-A debut Wednesday.

After Thursday's trading deadline passed, GM Omar Minaya predicted that pitchers Bobby Parnell and Eddie Kunz, Murphy, Martinez and Niese could make contributions to the big-league team this season.

MAINE TIME FRAME: John Maine won't return to the rotation until Friday at Shea against the Marlins, as Mets brass proceeds with caution after the righthander was diagnosed with a mild strain of the right rotator cuff.

After three days of inactivity, Maine said the normal "dull ache" behind his shoulder that he had been feeling between starts has disappeared. He can't be sure whether the pain will resurface, but should have a better idea once he throws a bullpen session tomorrow. Doctors told him the next step to consider would be receiving a cortisone injection, but Maine hopes that won't be necessary.

CASTILLO UPDATE: Luis Castillo played in his first rehab game yesterday, going 0-for-2 with a walk as a DH in the Gulf Coast League. Castillo, who has been on the DL for a month with a strained left hip flexor, could return in a week. ... Tony Armas Jr. (1-0, 7.56 ERA), who made three appearances with the Mets, underwent hernia surgery yesterday. ... Don't expect a meaningful contribution from Orlando Hernandez. He's still awaiting a specially configured cleat to relieve discomfort associated with his barking right bunion and hasn't been on a mound since leaving a Double-A game on July 17. ... Former Cubs/Giants infielder Ramon Martinez signed a minor-league deal and was assigned to New Orleans. Martinez, 35, was released by the Dodgers on July 24 after hitting .287 in 28games at Triple-A Las Vegas.
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About f'n time. I don't think I have seen this many young kids called up to the Majors since before the Willie days with how he loves his veterans and washed up shit players.

Penning10toColes · Aug 2, 2008

Yeah, this is interesting...Hopefully Niese doesn't have a bad start through the 11th, and Murphy can make some contributions.

macbk · Aug 3, 2008

Eddie Kunz was called up today as well. http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/mets/2008/08/mets-promote-closer-eddie-kunz.html

Barry the Baptist · Aug 3, 2008

Well I think I'm gonna be at the August 11th game (make up ) against the Pirates. Hopefully Niese gets the start and hopefully I can make it back down the Shore to see the Sand Gnats beat up on the Blueclaws.

Mets Call Up Murphy; Niese Possible For Aug 11th

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Barry the Baptist Hello son, would you like a lolly?
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Mets Call Up Murphy; Niese Possible For Aug 11th

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Barry the Baptist Hello son, would you like a lolly? Moderator

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Barry the Baptist Hello son, would you like a lolly?
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