faba Posted March 15, 2005 Share Posted March 15, 2005 03/14/2005 7:54 PM ET Trachsel to see back specialist By Marty Noble / MLB.com Steve Trachsel underwent an MRI at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York on Monday. print this page | e-mail this page PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- Uncertainty, and then concern, about Steve Trachsel spread through the Mets organization late Monday, seemingly as pain had spread through the lower back of the Mets pitcher in the days following his most recent exhibition game start: quickly and in many directions. As Trachsel and the club waited for a third doctor -- Los Angeles-based back specialist Robert Watkins -- to read the results of an MRI and X-rays taken Sunday and Monday and to do his own examination, the only certainty was the developments of the previous four days were not favorable. The Mets were withholding official statement about the 34-year-old pitcher who had virtually injury-free in his four-season tenure with the club. But one person familiar with the preliminary diagnosis said Trachsel might require surgery. And those unaware of any specifics were speculating generally that "it can't be a good," acknowledging the fickle nature of back problems and hoping the problem would not impact the 2005 season. Several teammates had expressed mild concern in the morning, without knowledge of a diagnosis and before the decision to have Trachsel see Watkins was made. The players noted Trachsel had been moving gingerly since Thursday, when the right-hander threw 59 pitches in 3 1/3 innings against the Orioles and made a 90-minute bus ride from Fort Lauderdale to Port St. Lucie. But none said he was aware of any specific back problem. Speaking from his hotel room Sunday night, Trachsel said he had "tweaked my back in December," but he was no more specific. He identified the sensations he experienced as "discomfort" rather than pain, but he acknowledged the discomfort increased Thursday. Trachsel had speculated his problem was nerve-related, and he hoped for a diagnosis of inflamed muscles irritating a nerve. In that way, he said, the problem could be treated with anti-inflammatory medication, treatment most pitchers are quite familiar with. Trachsel was to have pitched Tuesday against the Indians. He will be replaced by either Pedro Martinez, whose scheduled start in Winter Haven on Monday was rained out, or by the Mets' highest-regarded minor league pitcher from last year -- Yusmeiro Petit. Martinez was to decide Tuesday whether he should pitch after warming up but not pitching Monday. Replacing Trachsel in the rotation, should he require extended treatment, will not be so easily done. Trachsel has averaged 31 starts and 12 victories per season since signing with the Mets following the 2000 season. The only extended time he missed was in 2001. That was when, after a dreadful start -- four home runs in an inning against the Padres on May 19 -- he was assigned to Triple-A Norfolk for 19 days. His 124 starts are the most by a Mets pitcher over the last four seasons. Trachsel had a 12-13 record and 4.00 ERA last season, when he pitched 202 2/3 innings in 33 starts. Another season with a comparable workload would trigger a clause in his contract that would guarantee his salary for 2006. He must pitch at least 150 innings, something he has done each season beginning in 1995. If Trachsel is unable to retain a place in the rotation, the most likely substitute is Matt Ginter, who had a 1-3 record in 15 apperarances -- 14 starts -- last season. Trachsel is a workhorse type of guy in the rotation- will always be around 500 record or so but you know what you are getting with him- big hit for the Mets rotation if he is out for an extended period. Matt Ginter and Seo are not viable to put into the rotation long term. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T-Mac Posted March 15, 2005 Share Posted March 15, 2005 Not good. Was counting on lots of innings from him this year. With our lineup, that 4.00 ERA would've been just fine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gang Green Girl Posted March 15, 2005 Share Posted March 15, 2005 It's mid March and the excuses are pouring in already. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maxman Posted March 15, 2005 Share Posted March 15, 2005 It's mid March and the excuses are pouring in already. Good thing they got rid of that Kazmir kid though. Man he "looks" like he might get hurt. Who needs a 98mph fastball when the kid might get hurt. I would much rather Veterans that will definitely get hurt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
faba Posted March 15, 2005 Author Share Posted March 15, 2005 Good thing they got rid of that Kazmir kid though. Man he "looks" like he might get hurt. Who needs a 98mph fastball when the kid might get hurt. I would much rather Veterans that will definitely get hurt. It makes me sick just the mention of that trade Maxman. Now we have Zambrano and his health a question mark with Trachsel's bad back- open up the infirmiary. GGG who is making excuses-we will see your Yankees in June -make sure Jeter does not run head first into the stands before then. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maxman Posted March 15, 2005 Share Posted March 15, 2005 Faba don't worry about arguing with GGG. Just edit\delete anything you don't like. It is much easier that way! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheBrodyMan Posted March 15, 2005 Share Posted March 15, 2005 Good thing they got rid of that Kazmir kid though. Man he "looks" like he might get hurt. Who needs a 98mph fastball when the kid might get hurt. I would much rather Veterans that will definitely get hurt. Thank you for rehashing that almost healed wound :twisted: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Latinlawyer Posted March 15, 2005 Share Posted March 15, 2005 To be Honest, I still am up in arms over the Zambrano deal. I mean, Kazmir had lights out stuff. What the hell was that about? Zambrano is a good pitcher...but Kazmir had a higher ceiling. Spring Training has not shown me anything to hang my hat on regarding Zambrano. He has looked bad. The guy has good stuff but poor control. So right now we have three good pitches...Pedro, Glavine and Benson...that's it. Ugh! LL p.S. I say give that Ginter kid a shot in Trachs'spot, he pitched well last year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
faba Posted March 16, 2005 Author Share Posted March 16, 2005 Trachsel diagnosed with herniated disc Steve Trachsel, who has pitched more than 173 innings in each of the last nine seasons, could miss up to six months after it was learned the veteran right-hander has a herniated disc. Trachsel, who was expected to be the Mets No. 4 or 5 starter entering the season, on Wednesday saw Los Angeles-based back specialist Dr. Robert Watkins, who performed tests on the hurler. MRI and X-rays performed Sunday initially disclosed the disc problem. Sources indicated that surgery is likely, and if Trachsel undergoes the procedure, he could miss at least six months. If surgery is not deemed necessary, Trachsel could miss as little as three months. General manager Omar Minaya did identify the pool of possible replacements for Trachsel as Matt Ginter, Jae Seo and Aaron Heilman, each of whom started for the Mets last season, and Francisco Campos, who pitched in the Mexican League as well as Triple-A with the White Sox organization. Each pitcher in the pool is right-handed. Trachsel has been a workhorse with the Mets since joining the club prior to the 2001 season, starting at least 28 games in each of his four seasons in New York. Last season, Trachsel was 12-13 with a 4.00 ERA in 33 starts, which tied for the team lead. Looks like Trachsel definitely is out for most of the season now- Ginter is the best option right now but this hurts. Trachsel you could count on to be a pretty steady guy in the rotation that will be missing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T-Mac Posted March 16, 2005 Share Posted March 16, 2005 It's mid March and the excuses are pouring in already.Double or nothing on the steak dinner? 8) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomShane Posted March 16, 2005 Share Posted March 16, 2005 The METS will finish with a better record than the Yankees. One thing about Trachsel:: He's a good pitcher, but I won't miss his 4-hour games. Good GOD those were brutal to sit through. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maxman Posted March 16, 2005 Share Posted March 16, 2005 The METS will finish with a better record than the Yankees. I agree Tom, the Yankees have a lot of work to do. The Mets may win more games in spring training. Good call. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
faba Posted March 16, 2005 Author Share Posted March 16, 2005 The METS will finish with a better record than the Yankees. One thing about Trachsel:: He's a good pitcher, but I won't miss his 4-hour games. Good GOD those were brutal to sit through. I pity the guys playing behind Trachsel- the guy works so methodical and slow- at least he is good for beer runs though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gang Green Girl Posted March 16, 2005 Share Posted March 16, 2005 Double or nothing on the steak dinner? 8) Double or nothing? Do you already owe me? Make it a night of beers and you're on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maxman Posted March 16, 2005 Share Posted March 16, 2005 Double or nothing? Do you already owe me? Make it a night of beers and you're on. What would Gang Green Girl do with one steak, let alone two? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GimmeShelter Posted March 16, 2005 Share Posted March 16, 2005 To be Honest, I still am up in arms over the Zambrano deal. I mean, Kazmir had lights out stuff. What the hell was that about? Zambrano is a good pitcher...but Kazmir had a higher ceiling. Spring Training has not shown me anything to hang my hat on regarding Zambrano. He has looked bad. The guy has good stuff but poor control. So right now we have three good pitches...Pedro, Glavine and Benson...that's it. Ugh! LL p.S. I say give that Ginter kid a shot in Trachs'spot, he pitched well last year. I say Zambrano or at least I hope Zambrano will be decent this year. The thing about dealing Kazmir for him is there was NO reason to make that trade as we were toast at that point of the season. IMO we also could have landed Tim Hudson by offering Kazmir this off-season. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
124 Posted March 16, 2005 Share Posted March 16, 2005 Oh yes, Steve Trachsel will take the Mets to the promise land. oh and TS There isn't a chance in hell the Mets get 100 wins this year, like the Yankees will. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheBrodyMan Posted March 16, 2005 Share Posted March 16, 2005 The killer was that they probably couldve got Hudson. I was against trading him in the first place, but if you do trade him, at least get one of the top pitchers in the league. Not a guy that Rick Peterson claims he can mold into a Cy Younger. Fckin idiots. I say Zambrano or at least I hope Zambrano will be decent this year. The thing about dealing Kazmir for him is there was NO reason to make that trade as we were toast at that point of the season. IMO we also could have landed Tim Hudson by offering Kazmir this off-season. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
faba Posted March 16, 2005 Author Share Posted March 16, 2005 The killer was that they probably couldve got Hudson. I was against trading him in the first place, but if you do trade him, at least get one of the top pitchers in the league. Not a guy that Rick Peterson claims he can mold into a Cy Younger. Fckin idiots. The Mets traded their top prospect for Zambrano when they were just about officially out of contention for a possible playoff spot. For the top prospect in the organization they get a guy that is a 4th guy in the rotation and one that had an injury. It still makes me sick and probably will for a long time Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T-Mac Posted March 16, 2005 Share Posted March 16, 2005 What would Gang Green Girl do with one steak, let alone two? She welched the bet last year when her tired Yanks lost a series to the Mets. I can handle the 2 steaks, no problem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomShane Posted March 16, 2005 Share Posted March 16, 2005 What would Gang Green Girl do with one steak, let alone two? Puke them up twice to preserve that supermodel bod. Heya! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maxman Posted March 17, 2005 Share Posted March 17, 2005 She welched the bet last year when her tired Yanks lost a series to the Mets. I can handle the 2 steaks, no problem. T-Mac if GGG is indeed a Welcher just say the word and she will be banned. Such behavior is not tolerated here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T-Mac Posted March 17, 2005 Share Posted March 17, 2005 T-Mac if GGG is indeed a Welcher just say the word and she will be banned. Such behavior is not tolerated here. Not to worry, Max. I'm gonna trade in all my steaks for sexual favors. :twisted: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
faba Posted March 18, 2005 Author Share Posted March 18, 2005 Mets released Danny Garcia and Joe McEwing yesterday. Garcia another guy from the farm system that was a disappointment but I surprised they outright released him though. McEwing is a good guy to have -can play any position just about but Woodward is having a good spring and they have Cairo now also- so time to move on. Houston looks like they will pick him up Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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