The Mets have released 31-year old righty reliever Juan Padilla. This is a shame as Padilla once showed some real ability but several surgeries to his arm have sapped him of his power. He pitched in 14 games (0 starts) in AAA this season for the Mets and he was 0-0 with a 9.64 ERA and a 2.36 WHIP allowing 25 hits in only 14 innings pitched. Padilla last pitched in the major leagues in 2005 with the Mets and he was really solid that season. Padilla has pitched in 42 games (0 starts) in his major league career and he is 4-1 with 1 save, a 4.06 ERA and a 1.42 WHIP. He has signed on with a Independent League team in his effort to rehab his arm and make it back to the big leagues.

The Mets were hopeful that 24-year old righty Mike Pelfrey would start living up to his potential and he certainly has not disappointed this season. With the injuries to Orlando Hernandez and Pedro Martinez the Mets really needed someone to step up and that has been Pelfrey. He has started 20 games for the Mets this season and he is 9-6 with a 3.67 ERA and a 1.42 WHIP. Pelfrey has a bright future with the Mets but they will need him to keep pitching well this season if they are going to make the playoffs as they are in a tooth and nail battle with both the Phillies and the surprising Marlins for the National League East.

There were whispers a couple of months ago that Carlos Delgado might be done but he’s been smashing the baseball this month for the Mets. Delgado has played in 22 games in July and he is 32 for 83 (.386 avg, 1.251 OPS) with 19 runs scored, 8 homers and 21 RBIs. His recent surge has really helped the Mets who are starting to score a lot of runs lately. He has now played in 102 games this season for the Mets and he is 100 for 381 (.262 avg, .844 OPS) with 58 runs scored, 22 homers and 66 RBIs. With Ryan Church’s head still hurting him and Moises Alou done for the season Delgado’s run production has covered up for some shoddy production at the corner outfield slots for the Mets. They need Delgado to keep up the good work.

The Mets have designated Brandon Knight for assignment after last night’s game. He got a no decision by working 5 innings and allowing 7 hits and 4 earned runs in his only appearance this season for the Mets. The Mets have recalled 28-year old lefty starter/reliever Willie Collazo to replace Knight on the roster. Collazo has pitched in 31 games (11 starts) this season in AAA ball and he is 4-6 with 2 saves, a 4.08 ERA and a 1.28 WHIP. Collazo will probably only be with the Mets until Friday as Pedro Martinez should be ready to return to the rotation then. The Mets really hope that Martinez still has something left as the Mets are in a dog fight with the Phillies and Marlins for the National League East. Martinez has started 9 games this season for the Mets and he is 3-2 with a 6.25 ERA and a 1.63 WHIP. He has allowed an amazing 55 hits and 8 homers in only 44.2 innings and that needs to change if he’s going to be effective at all the rest of the season.

23-year old righty starting pitcher Kevin Mulvey was the #4 prospect in the Mets’ minor league system coming into this season according to Baseball America. He’s almost ready as he is pitching pretty well in AAA ball this season. He has started 18 games in AAA this year and he is 3-8 with a 3.84 ERA and a 1.39 WHIP. Mulvey is pitching much better than his record shows and the Mets will have to consider calling him up if they suffer any more injuries in the rotation.