Somebody smash these bugs!

The Injury Bug continues to bite. It has really gotten to the point that you no longer can say the injury bug has simply hit the Mets. The New York Mets seem to be in the middle of the breeding ground for this famous bug. Think of those bugs that attacked Joba Chamberlain and the Yankees a few years back during that playoff game in Cleveland. Imagine if they were “injury bugs.” That’s the experience the Mets are going through at the moment.
Carlos Beltran was placed on the disabled list (DL) two days ago, joining a heavy list of stars to be that have been victims of the “bug.” Back in March, if someone said to you, ok these are your New York Mets, now take out Jose Reyes, Carlos Beltran, Carlos Delgado, John Maine, Oliver Perez and Ryan Church, what would you think? I know I’d be thinking fourth place. And I’d say last place except we are lucky enough to play in the same division as the Nationals. All of those players have spent time on the DL. Most having been out for a while. That is four out of the nine starting position players and two of the teams starting pitchers. If you add Brian Schneider to that list then that’s five of the nine position players. Schneider may not be someone you think of as a star, but he is our starting catcher.
However, through all of this, the Mets have remained within striking distance of the Philadelphia Phillies in the NL East. They are above the .500 mark and still finding ways to wins some games. You have to give credit to some of the players that have stepped in and contributed. For example, I don’t think anyone expected Alex Cora to be batting in the .290 - .300 range while playing every day. Also, Omir Santos??? Yes, he is also right around the .300 mark. Nobody had even heard of this guy going into the season. Luis Castillo has been a consistent contributor this season. Aside from the dropped pop up against the Yankees, you really cant complain about him.
The only “core” player left right now is David Wright. Wright has emerged as the leader of this team. He may not be hitting for power this season, but his average is very high and he has clearly taken over the reigns of the New York Mets leadership role.
Anyway, the “bug” has not been able to knock us down. It has tried and tried and it continues to try but we are hanging tough. If Beltran, Delgado, Reyes, Putz, Maine, Church, and Perez have been the injury bug….I guess Wright, Cora, Castillo, and Santana have been our bug spray. Someone smash these bugs and then lets see what this team can really do!