It was a bad day for veteran pitchers hoping to earn spots in the Mets’ starting rotation. At Port St. Lucie, Chan Ho Park was riddled for seven runs (four earned) and seven hits in three arduous innings against the Nationals. He allowed three solo home runs, two by Chris Snelling and one monster shot by Travis Lee.
At the same time in Fort Lauderdale, Aaron Sele allowed six runs in the first inning of a split-squad game against the Orioles. Though he settled down to retire 12 straight at one point, it seems as if his days with the Mets are numbered.
Though some in the organization still value Park as a potential starter or long reliever, Saturday’s events can only enhance the chances that Mike Pelfrey will win the run-off for the No. 5 spot in the rotation.
Interestingly, there is some speculation that even if Pelfrey wins that spot, he would start the season in the minors because the Mets won’t need a fifth starter until April 16 at the earliest. So if Park could pitch in long relief, he could stick around for a couple of weeks.
Jorge Sosa, another “bubble” pitcher but one with higher value to the organization because of his youth and power arm, also got rocked on Saturday. At Port St. Lucie, Sosa relieved Park and promptly allowed eight hits and six runs (three earned) in two innings.
Comments (4)
just a correction, jorge sosa is the name, not jose sosa, as stated in the article
Just a correction, Jorge Sosa is his name, not Jose Sosa, as stated in the aricle.
Jose Sosa? Jorge Sosa?
He still stinks. Right?
Am I right? What difference does it make?
What difference does it make unless one of these retreads can step up so that Heilman can be allowed to start. That is progress.
And Ambiorix Burgos? He is Jorge Julio and Armando Benitez all wrapped up in a bow. I can't wait till he gives up his first monster dinger. Remember: they traded Bannister for Burgos. And Bannister was a fan favorite. Nuff daid.
jeremi gonzalez, jose lima, brian banister, victor zambrano... these guys were all in the rotation in april 2006. seems like they did alright with that mess. i think i'm more than ok with mike pelfrey, john maine and oliver perez.