Igarashi injury - who's available...

Ryota Igarashi was removed with two outs in the 8th inning due to a hamstring injury, Iggy hurt his leg attempting to field a tricky bunt. He was able to stay in for two more batters but then had to be removed and the intial diagnosis is a strained hamstring.

He'll have an MRI tomorrow, but I'd guess even if it's clean he'll land on the disabled list. First of all, the Mets were snake bitten last year with injuries and seem to be airing on the side of caution in all cases. Secondly Iggy is a power pitcher and his legs are as important as his arm is. This is all speculation since they could say Iggy's fine tom., but in case he isn't, here's a look at what we have to fill-in for him.

Tobi Stoner was sent down to make room for Ike Davis, normally Stoner wouldn't be available until 10 days after the transaction but he can return at any point to replace someone due to injury. I have to be honest here; I just don't see it with Stoner he reminds me of Jon Adkins, an average middle reliever for a few years before becoming a AAAA pitcher.

Here's my out of the box idea Jon Maine looked better in his last outing but he's still a five inning pitcher which kills the bullpen. I've been saying this since '07', but this might be the season it happens, Maine should be a reliever. Send Maine to the pen and promote Dillion Gee to the rotation, Gee has not allowed a run in two starts while striking out 12 and walking one in Buffalo.

There are two other pen candidates with major league experience, Manny Acosta and Elmer Dessens. Acosta has always struggled with control issues but has the potential to be a late inning power arm, in five relief appearances he has an ERA of 2.16 with one walk and nine strikeouts. At 39 y/o and throwing nothing but junk Dessens keeps plugging along, in five appearances he's 3-0 with two saves and an ERA of 1.29 ( SO 6/ BB 3).

Stoner and Acosta are already on the 40 man while Dessens or Gee would have to be added. They currently have 40 players on the roster but could easily make room for a player without losing anyone by moving Escobar or Beltran to the 60 day DL. Neither player appears close to returning and with the time back dated to ten days before the season started , I think its a fair estimation that they wont be ready by the third week in May. While a player on the 15 day DL is not replaceable, a player on the 60 day is...