Wow, that was quick. The Mets have released righty reliever Al Reyes before they even let him pitch in a game. This is a indictment of Reyes’ ability as the Mets need all the help they can get in the bullpen right now.

When Moises Alou went down to injury early this season the Mets needed someone to step up and Fernando Tatis certainly did. But, he separated his shoulder diving for a ball thus ending his 2008 season. Tatis played in 92 games for the Mets this season and he was 81 for 273 (.297 avg, .853 OPS) with 33 runs scored, 11 homers and 47 RBIs. The Mets will attempt to replace Tatis in LF with rookies Nick Evans and Daniel Murphy. Evans has played in 44 games for the Mets this season and he is 27 for 101 (.267 avg, .699 OPS) with 16 runs scored, 1 homer and 8 RBIs. Murphy has played better than Evans for the Mets so far as he has swung a hot stick. Murphy has played in 39 games for the Mets this season and he is 36 for 98 (.367 avg, .993 OPS) with 20 runs scored, 2 homers and 14 RBIs. It will be interesting to see if the rookies step up while on the big stage.

The Mets will lose Billy Wagner for the remainder of the 2008 season and most if not all of the 2009 season after he underwent Tommy John Surgery. Wagner pitched in 45 games for the Mets this season and he was 0-1 with 27 saves, a 2.30 ERA and a 0.89 WHIP. Early on the Mets really missed Wagner as no one stepped up. But, recent acquistion Luis Ayala has taken over the closer’s role for now and he has been outstanding so far. Ayala has pitched in 11 games for the Mets this season and he is 1-0 with 6 saves, a 2.45 ERA and a 1.00 WHIP.

The Mets have designated 28-year old lefty Willie Collazo and 28-year old righty Ruddy Lugo for assignment. Both were called up this season by the Mets but neither of them got to pitch for them before being returned to the minors. Collazo pitched in 37 games (16 starts) in AAA ball this season and he was 4-9 with 2 saves, a 4.05 ERA and a 1.25 WHIP. Lugo started 24 games in AAA this season and he was 7-12 with a 5.36 ERA and a 1.40 WHIP. The Mets won’t miss either of these guys.