As if the financial turmoil and bloated contracts for some players weren't enough, the New York Mets have also been ravaged -- yet again -- by injuries this season. For a team that was stingy with the digits written on its checks this past offseason, injuries to its supposed bonafide players only crippled its playoff hopes even more.
But as the season winds down, the organization has received a few glimmers of injury hope as it looks toward a healthier 2012 season. Prior to Monday's game against the Florida Marlins, the Mets received some very good health reports on Johan Santana and Ike Davis.
Santana, a year removed (Sept. 14, 2010) from surgery to his shoulder, may make his return to the major leagues next week, while Davis, after injuring his ankle in a collision with David Wright on May 10, is confident that he he will not need surgery.
The left-hander will throw with St. Lucie on Friday (or Savannah if St. Lucie doesn't have a game). He said he could throw two or three innings for the Mets after one of those outings. Per ESPN NY's Adam Rubin:
"I would love to be at the major league level," Santana said. "There's no question about it. I mean, I would love to be at the major league level right now. The reality is that I can't. We have a process that I have to follow. And if my next outing everything goes fine, then it might be a possibility of being at the major league level."
Assistant general manager John Ricco noted that the organization will have to discuss the possibility further considering pitching in the major leagues is a totally different beast to conquer.
The first baseman has to visit team doctors after the series against the Marlins, and is almost certain that surgery will not be needed. Per Rubin:
"I haven't had a lot of pain," Davis said. "The last two weeks I've been really pushing it. It's stayed pretty consistent and it hasn't gotten worse. The past the more I'd run on it, the worse it gets. It's not 100 percent, but it's at the point right now where I am moving around pretty well and can do basically about everything. It's still a little tight and there are some things in there that maybe in more time it might heal.
"Right now the reason we're not going to have surgery is because I don't think it's going to be beneficial. Obviously it's not ruled out, but as of right now it looks pretty good. I have to go to the doctors and they'll have final say and everything, but right now it feels pretty good."
Davis had been running without pain at home, and then reported to the Mets' Port St. Lucie complex this past weekend to begin some light hitting, take ground balls and play catch. Rubin reports there was no noticeable difficulty.
He worked out for coach Terry Collins and team trainers Monday afternoon. He's planning to work out for two more days with the Mets, then will cease all physical activity for a month.
Literally every player on the Mets' roster has been injured over the past several years, so call me pessimistic until I see the guys on the field. Regardless, the news is nice to hear, but I want to see them in uniform before I get too excited.