Uncertainty Looms Around Feliz’s Condition
Posted by Tim Malcolm, Tue, February 17, 2009 10:38 AM | Comments: 32
News, Posts
Today the presses are hot with news about Pedro Feliz, but it was Leslie Gudel who posted the news first. The third baseman is still recovering from back surgery, and says he still hasn’t swung a bat though he “feels [sic] pretty good.”
Charlie Manuel, however, is looking ahead and wondering if Feliz can be ready for Opening Night:
“It’s gonna be close, we’ll see what our trainers say. We’ll gradually work him in and see where he’s at in a couple of weeks.”
If Feliz doesn’t get Opening Night duties expect a platoon of sorts between Greg Dobbs and potentially one of the infielders seeking a spot on the 25-man roster. Feliz probably wouldn’t be slotted onto the 25-day DL, but then again, nobody is exactly sure what might happen yet.
Posts: 0 JohnKruksLoveChild
Wasn’t Donald a possibility at third ? Dobbs is definitely a decent stand-in for Feliz, but it would be a good opportunity to give one of up-and-coming players a chance.
Posted: 10:52 AM on February 17, 2009
Posts: 0 Justin
Jason Donald may get a chance to play third, i’m excited to see if he gets any time at 3rd during ST.
Posted: 10:53 AM on February 17, 2009
Posts: 0 Chuck P
If you didn’t see this coming, you’ve been walking around with blinders on… his recovery is going to be much more difficult than we have been led to believe. I think that it’s possible that he could rejoin the club in April but he won’t even know how he feels for a while. He won’t be able to test it until it has completely healed. It’s something that has to heal entirely first before he can even begin talking about rehab. He should be alright but he’ll need to push extra hard to get into game shape. Utley can get out and move around; his recovery will be slow and lingering but once he feels comfortable with his hip, he should be alright because he can do other things to keep his body in playing condition. When you’re talking about a back problem, there’s just not much that can be done until it heals and we won’t really know anything until then.
By the way… not sure if you guys saw this. Very encouraging stuff. Where’s Geoff??
http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/9225610/New-and-improved-Howard-just-got-better?MSNHPHMA
Posted: 10:55 AM on February 17, 2009
Posts: 1650 Tim Malcolm
“potentially one of the infielders seeking a spot on the 25-man roster” includes Donald, Miguel Cairo, Pablo Ozuna, Marcus Giles and Eric Bruntlett.
Posted: 10:55 AM on February 17, 2009
Posts: 0 Chuck P
Do you really believe that Donald can play third?
Posted: 10:56 AM on February 17, 2009
Posts: 0 Geoff
Ive been quietly monitoring from afar the last couple days. Seeing Ryan Howard and Brett Myers show up 20 and 30 pounds lighter made me rest a bit easier, as thats a positive sign for each guy that hes going to be in better condition to start the season.
Thats a great story there too. I was very pleased to learn hes been working on his footwork, fielding and throwing for months now.
Key quotation here:
“I don’t want to be labeled as a one-dimensional player,” Howard says. “I don’t want to be a DH at the end of my career. I want to put myself in position to be the best all-around player I can be.”
Yes, Yes….goooooooood. Thats what I want to hear and see from the big guy. Any horses a$$ slugging first basemen can be ho-hum about defense, but its good to see the guy take it seriously and work on it during the offseason to make himself a better player. If this guy can become a good defensive first basemen, then look out. hes gotta keep his weight down and constantly work on agility and strengthen his knees and ankles so they hold up over the course of his career.
Very positive signs from Howard as well as Myers. Its like: what the heck got into him?
Posted: 11:08 AM on February 17, 2009
Posts: 0 Justin
If you watched CSN Sportsnite last night Myers told Gudel that he’s entering camp not bitter this year, he said he showed up in camp last year out of shape because he was bitter about being taken out of the closer role.
Posted: 11:26 AM on February 17, 2009
Posts: 0 NJ
This can be a glass half full situation. For Giles, Cairo, Ozuna, Donald and the invitees their looking at possibly 3 opening day roster spot being open and the chance to hang about on the roster rather than having to work their way up off the bat in AAA.
Posted: 11:52 AM on February 17, 2009
Posts: 0 Fran
This isnt a huge concern, yet. Let him get healthy. If he misses the 1st month of the season thats fine. We Dobbs will fill in no problem. If he comes back in May 100% that would be perfect, but if his injury lingers thats when we start to have a problem.
Posted: 12:06 PM on February 17, 2009
Posts: 0 pb
this ain’t going to happen but they should sign Joe Crede by the time his back gives out Feliz’s back would be A-OK
Actually I’ve got a feeling this Feliz back issue will be a problem all year long
Posted: 12:16 PM on February 17, 2009
Posts: 0 NJ
Thoughts are you probably shouldn’t touch yourself in front of poster of David Wright, he’s a great ballplayer and deserves more respect than that.
Posted: 12:28 PM on February 17, 2009
Posts: 0 Don M
You’ll go cross-eyed… like your father.
Also… why are you re-posting the same, unfunny thing as you did at 2am.. kill yourself
Posted: 12:44 PM on February 17, 2009
Posts: 0 Eric R
Another genius Melts fan… is anyone surprised?
Posted: 12:45 PM on February 17, 2009
Posts: 0 Chuck P
That’s quite a post… by “wright is my boy.” I love these Mets fans that come on here for their moment of shame… I’m not talking about the intelligent ones that can have a conversation… guys like this that bring nothing to the table. Here’s how envision it playing out; “wright is my boy” is sitting at home staring at his D-Wright Fathead thinking, “Yea, we’re going all the way in ’09!” That moment of clarity brings him to the computer. After he kicks his mom off of the computer, he scours the internet looking for someone to abuse. Of course, he finds the best sports blogsite around and thinks, “They’re just Phillies fans?” That’s where the miscalculation happens… you see, we’re not just Phillies fans… we’re Phillies Phans. Our phanhood runs deeper than hope and optimism; we understand that it all starts with us. We are the body that fuels the train (with our cheers and our wallets). Our loyalty and knowledge of our team allows us to intelligently voice our opinion of what is right and wrong for this ballclub and more often than not, our voice is heard. We understand the challenges that surround us and our optimism isn’t simple-minded. We see that the Mets, as talented as they are on paper, lack the heart to get them over the hump. We don’t take them lightly but we believe that after all things are considered, our team is better. You can get mad at us but please face the facts… when it comes to fanhood, we’re just better than you. When it comes to on-the-field stuff, bring something with substance.
Posted: 12:49 PM on February 17, 2009
Posts: 0 BurrGundy
Hey WRIGHT IS MY BOY, you are an embarrassment to yourself, the Mets and probably everyone who knows you. Foul, and probably very ugly both mentally and physically. A real shame.
Posted: 01:02 PM on February 17, 2009
Posts: 0 Woodman
Wright Boy is a real NY SLUG!
Posted: 01:10 PM on February 17, 2009
Posts: 0 phillyhater
yeah..wright boy stop..i love the mets and hate the phillies but…really?…that was just pointless..its a BLOG…you have to have real conversatons and not about blow up dolls…i will give you credit it was funny…but do it on metsblog…or sa it to your friends…if you are going to argue with them argue about the year ahead
Posted: 01:20 PM on February 17, 2009
Posts: 0 phillyhater
hahaha….don m…i like the youll go cross eyes…haha
Posted: 01:21 PM on February 17, 2009
Posts: 0 Grrrumpy Miner
OK…even LEGITIMATE Amazins fans have killed this “Wright is my guy” character….but is it REALLY necessary to question this idiots fettishes and its allegience to the Amazins.We punished this ass-half already,let it go.
Posted: 01:37 PM on February 17, 2009
Posts: 0 the real wright is my boy
the mets are so much better constructed than the phillies that we win all the time, all the months of the year, especially September and October.
I like metsblog so much that I decided to waste everyone’s time on here typing nonsense instead of on there, where people have already come to realize that I don’t know what I’m talking about.
My favorite vegetable is the cucumber.
My favorite animal is the gerbil.
Posted: 01:51 PM on February 17, 2009
Posts: 0 Chuck P
Won’t the real Wright is my boy please stand up??
You sound a little frustrated… maybe because I hit the nail on the head with my assessment. If you think that it took me half of my day to write that, you’re obviously underestimating me. Wit comes easy for me, just like your mom. You’re a loser… the only way that you can get a leg-up in an argument is to accuse someone of being a “fag” or a “homo.” It makes you feel like a real man when, in fact, you’re inadequate at your job and inadequate at life. You’re a LOSER. Sorry about your luck, now crawl back under than N.NJ rock you came from.
Posted: 02:12 PM on February 17, 2009
Posts: 0 Chris.I
I think Donald is a high rewarding possibilty at 3rd, but he might need more time to convert. If Feliz isn’t ready by opening day I think Dobbs would jump ahead of Cairo, and Giles in the lineup (Seniority factor), not to mention hes a team favorite candidate. With Donald…I think his only option at the moment is 3rd base. He might get in some games here and there, but he probably wont win his spot until sometime in the mid-season. But once he’s there….It’s curtains! I’m excited to see him get the chance as an everyday player on this team.
Posted: 02:31 PM on February 17, 2009
Posts: 0 Jason B.
Wow, another intelligent statement from someone claiming that they know baseball. Tim, you should be proud that your blog is the one where these idiots come to talk trash.
On a serious note, I do think Feli’s back will be an ongoing issue, I think the Phillies know it too. I think that’s why they signed both Giles and Cairo. Hopefully Donald gets the chance in S.T. to play a bit of third base, but I keep hearing that he may not have the range to make the throws from the hot corner. Anyone else hear that? Opinions?
Posted: 02:33 PM on February 17, 2009
Posts: 551 Brian Michael
Nah, I’ve heard he has a cannon for an arm…at least that’s what people were saying when he was drafted. He has yet to spend anytime at 3rd, even in college, so I think it’s going to take some getting used to regardless of his arm strength.
Posted: 03:00 PM on February 17, 2009
Posts: 0 Chris.I
Jason B,
I never heard that rumor, but I’m sure its a possibilty. Most SS have a hard time transitioning to 3B, but its a much less transition than converting from 2B to 3B. I don’t think he has much of an option here to be honest. I think Your right about the front office knowing about his ongoing back problems. It’s pretty obvious. Thats why they held onto Donald, and didn’t trade him in the off season. I think Donald will be alright…Either way, I doubt his defense will be any worse than Dobbs (even though I think Dobbs will be our opening day starter if Feliz isn’t back)-Go figure
Posted: 03:17 PM on February 17, 2009
Posts: 0 Kev
Has anyone see Donald play? Let alone 3rd base? It’s a long shot he actually contributes at all to this team this year, he will spend all year in the minors and depending on the state of the team near the deadline, probably would get sent somewhere for a player that could upgrade the team. His natural position is 2B, he has played SS, and their only trying to move him to 3RD because he is blocked at his two major positions in the MLB for about 5-10 more years. I wouldn’t put too much stock into him, he hits for average with not much power, or speed in the minors, how we’ll do you think he would translate to and MLB 3RD basemen? And im not even bringing up defense, and we know how much gold glove defense at 3RD helped us in the World Series
Posted: 04:16 PM on February 17, 2009
Posts: 0 Chris.I
Kev your absoltely right…Feliz is awesome at 3rd. One of the top 5 3B in the national leauge in the NL in my oppinion (Defense) , but his injury is a major set back. Like I said there isn’t any other option for Donald right now, except 3B. It’s either win or bust in his situation. They are def going to give him a shot atleast before they trade him. If Tim is right about his arm strength than he should be alright. Only time will tell.
Posted: 04:29 PM on February 17, 2009
Posts: 0 The Dipsy
Can anyone (TIM) tell me WHAT kind of procedure Feliz had? Last year he had a bulging disc. They don’t get better. If he had surgery, he probably had spinal fusion surgery. This is where they take the bad disc out and fuse the two pieces of bone together. Its not a surgery that has a high success rate. (The Dipsy himself has disc issues). That said, if Feliz can’t play effectively this year it would not surprise me in the least. We’re gonna need a late inning glove at third, because, as well all know, no glove/no love.
The Dipsy
Posted: 07:18 PM on February 17, 2009
Posts: 0 folkfish
I believe Pedro had a lamenectomy to remove a herniated disc between the L-4 and L-5 vertebrae. I’ve had the exact same, twice in the past two years. Typically they wouldn’t do spinal fusion until a third occurence.
I had my latest the same week as Pedro and still have some lingering issues. I wouldn’t be surprised if he does too.
Posted: 07:50 PM on February 17, 2009
Posts: 0 The Dipsy
I feel for ya folkfish. They just take a portion of the disc out? That sounds great. Whats the recovery time?
The Dipsy
Posted: 09:21 PM on February 17, 2009
Posts: 0 folkfish
They just remove the ruptured portion of the disc and leave the balance in. The recovering in terms of being able to walk again and relieve the pressure on nerves is immediate. However, the ability to lift, to sit, and so on takes time to regain strength. There is also the mental issue with gaining the confidence back to move like you did before. It leaves you with a bit of a tenuous feeling, which I can imagine that Pedro will be dealing with. I also imagine he’ll be dealing with some real soreness as he regains activity. I can’t imagine him playing every day quickly.
Posted: 09:36 PM on February 17, 2009
Posts: 0 Richie Allen
Short term as it may be,We will have a quality problem until they both come back ….. AT 100%……The infield defence is one of our major assets.
How many times last year can you remember fantastic plays from those 2 guys..I remember a TON OF THEM.
Maybe Utley will be ready .
But it sounds like Feliz isnt even close.and Donald isnt the answer yet.Neither is Dobbs..
Hope it doesnt take too long..
Posted: 02:25 PM on February 18, 2009