New York Mets OF Carlos Beltran hits the DL

June 22, 2009 @ 01:00:01

By Keith Hernandez
Edited by Bryce McRae

Newsday's David Lennon reports on his Twitter page that the New York Mets placed outfielder Carlos Beltran (knee) on the 15-day disabled list Monday, June 22. According to Adam Ronis, of Newsday.com, Beltran was placed on the DL with a bruised right knee.

In related moves, the team designated shortstop Wilson Valdez for assignment, optioned pitcher Ken Takahashi to the minors and called up outfielder Fernando Martinez and pitcher Pat Misch.

An MRI showed a worsening bone bruise Monday, June 22. He had indicated Sunday, June 21, that he would not be able to play many games with the pain he was currently in. The 32-year-old received a cortisone shot for a bone bruise in his right knee May 26 and was able to play three days later. This time, it'll be at least two weeks before he returns; New York is hoping he'll be able to return after the minimum time is served on the DL.

The Mets' center fielder is batting .336 with eight home runs, 40 RBIs and 11 steals in a lineup that is already missing shortstop Jose Reyes (hamstring) and first baseman Carlos Delgado (hip).

Outfielder Jeremy Reed replaced Beltran in the lineup Monday and could benefit the most from Beltran's absence. Martinez, one of the team's prized prospects, could also see some playing time. F-Mart had been optioned to the minors Friday, June 19, because the Mets wanted to get his bat in a lineup regularly. Both bat left-handed so a standard righty-lefty platoon might not be the first option.

Martinez is hitting just .194 with five RBIs in 62 at-bats while Reed has an average of .294 with three RBIs in 68 at-bats.

Stash him on one of your DL spots. His recurring knee injury could cut down his stolen bases in the second half of the season.

Reed and Martinez are outfield options that are worth consideration in NL-only leagues and could be added to your watch list in deep mixed formats. The latter has the higher upside, but he could struggle because of his lack of experience in the majors.

KFFLians are saying....

Comment

 

---

What do you think? We want to hear from you!

Name: E-mail: Please, enter the number that you see

Comment Guidelines

Keith Hernandez

Keith, an editor with KFFL, joined the team as a Hot off the Wire analyst in 2008 and has been playing fantasy sports since 2005. He is involved in MLB, NFL and NASCAR content. He graduated from the University of California-San Diego in 2005 with a B.A. in Communications and was a four-year starter as a member of the baseball program.

Talk Sports 24/7!
KFFL Sports Forums: Over 24,000 strong and growing!

One Day FREE Fantasy Contest - $350 in cash prizes (05/25)
Fantasy baseball players in the news (05/25)
Fantasy football players in the news (05/25)
Fantasy Baseball Diamond Market: John Danks placed on DL (05/24)
Fantasy Baseball Diamond Market: The substandard Roy Halladay (05/24)
Fantasy Baseball Player Prospecting: Danny Hultzen, Roger Kieschnick, more (05/24)
Fantasy Baseball Diamond Market: Austin Jackson headed to DL (05/24)
Fantasy Baseball Closer Hot Seat: Addison Reed, J.J. Putz, Ernesto Frieri, more (05/24)
Fantasy Baseball Diamond Market: Brian Roberts seeing the light at the end of the rehab tunnel (05/24)
I am not afraid of Hakeem Nicks' foot injury (05/24)