The Mets Have Suffered Since Their Players Participated In The WBC

It has been three months since the end of the WBC in which a record number (16) of Mets participated.

Since then, it seems that the players involved have had their share of problems. I'm not implying that they would not have suffered these injuries or encountered these problems without participation, but you do have to wonder about the results.

1)  Jose Reyes - Played for the Dominican Republic

Reyes has been out of action on the DL for close to a month, and even before that, did not play to the level that was expected.

At the start of Spring Training, Reyes switched companies for his cleats from Nike to Under Armour.  It is rumored that the knee and hamstring injuries which have shelved him are due to the change in cleats.

2)  Carlos Delgado -Played for Puerto Rico

Delgado did well in the games that he did play, but was placed on the DL after undergoing hip surgery for a bone spur and an impingement.

Carlos Delgado was instrumental in Puerto Rico's games during the tournament, but probably should not have played being that he has a history of chronic hip pain.

3)  Oliver Perez - Played for Team Mexico

Perez had shaky starts and was placed on the DL with patella tendinitis.  He is gearing to return to the Mets within about two weeks, but his presence has been missed.

Before going on the DL, Perez was designated to the bullpen due to his ineffectiveness as a starter.

4) J.J. Putz - Played for Team USA

Putz did have some effective relief appearances, but overall has been a bit of a disappointment.  The circumstances of his much-touted acquisition, which involved three teams and twelve players, makes his absence felt even stronger.

During the time of the WBC, there was no indication that elbow surgery was anywhere near on the horizon.

5)  David Wright - Played for Team USA

Wright was injured during the WBC, not seriously, but still enough to possibly have had some lingering effects.  He was kneed in the head breaking up a double play and had to be removed from the game due to dizziness. 

David Wright was instrumental in Team USA's road to the semifinals two days later as he had the game winning hit against Puerto Rico which eliminated them from the tournament.

The very next day, he fouled a ball off his left foot and his big toe was badly bruised and the nail was ripped off.  He finished the tournament by playing in pain for eight innings of the the seeding game against Venezuela and the entire semi-final game against Japan

The Mets decided not to recall Wright to Spring Training even though many of the players on Team USA who injured themselves did return to their team's training camp.

David Wright has had an uncharacteristic season at the plate.  While he has been a MLB leader in batting average (360+ for most of the last two weeks), his 65 strikeouts are extremely alarming.

Due to Jose Reyes being out of action, Wright has picked up a lot of the base stealing slack and has swiped 18 so far, which is the high for the team and ranks second in the National League.

6)  Carlos Beltran - Played for Team Puerto Rico

Beltran has had a good season so far, but has missed time with an inflamed knee and a stomach virus.

Beltran and Wright are doing their best to carry the Mets on their shoulders with all of the injuries sustained.

With Reyes and Delgado out indefinitely, the burden on them to carry this team is almost overwhelming, even with the addition of Gary Sheffield, who is also suffering with knee pain.

Pitchers such as Fernando Nieve and Bobby Parnell who would not have normally had the chance to start or relieve are being given opportunities to fill in while the injured players are resting and rehabilitating.  

Daniel Murphy who is a natural third baseman who had playing time in left field but was not effective has now been the first baseman and is doing a decent job.

Alex Cora has been playing shortstop in Reyes's place, although Cora has missed playing time himself with a sprained thumb.

The WBC is due to take place again in 2013, the Mets will have to make the decision on whether their players should participate. 

If they reflect on the events of this season thus far, you can pretty much expect a significant reduction in the amount of players they send to the next classic.