With the positive news that Carlos Beltran will partake in his second Grapefruit League game tomorrow, the New York Mets have made some roster decisions that further cement the likelihood that the five-time All Star will in fact be with the big league club on Opening Day.
According to a report from ESPN NY's Adam Rubin, the Mets have placed Nick Evans, Luis Hernandez and Pat Misch on waivers. The results will be known Wednesday.
Hernandez is basically a glove-only middle infielder and with Justin Turner, Ruben Tejada and Reese Havens in the minors, his loss wouldn't bee too significant if he's claimed. Misch, 29, is more of an organizational depth guy, a left-handed soft tosser who is decent as a fill-in starter or long reliever, but with a major league strikeout rate of just about five per nine, doesn't offer too much upside.
Evans is the player who would've made the Opening Day roster had Beltran not been ready. He is also the player the Mets could theoretically regret losing despite never really being given a long look and failing to impress in any of his stints (50 games in 2008, 30 in 2009 and 20 in 2010). He has batted .333/.378/.420 in 69 at-bats this spring and after a down year in 2009, enjoyed a solid season in Double-A and Triple-A last year, amassing 23 HR, 80 RBI and a .300/.371/.536 slash line. The 25-year-old can play the corner outfield spots and first base (and has played third before) and really should be able to get a chance with another organization; a change of scenery may just be what he needs. His ceiling may only be a fourth outfielder, platoon-type player, but Evans has to perform when he's called upon if he's to get extended time in the big leagues.
Manny Acosta is also out of options -- but it doesn't look like he has been placed on waivers yet. He is battling Blaine Boyer and Jason Isringhausen for the final spot in the bullpen.