Carlos Delgado News: Pro Sports Daily

Omar Minaya will keep close eye on Carlos Delgado; return to Flushing still possible

Comment

November 14

Newark Star-Ledger

"Carlos Delgado's days in a Mets uniform may not be over just yet. General manager Omar Minaya said Friday he plans to travel to Puerto Rico next month to watch Delgado play in winter ball and has not ruled out re-signing him to play first base in 2010. The 37-year-old free agent is coming off hip surgery and an oblique injury that limited him to just 26 games last season. Delgado would have to show that he is healthy and would likely have to accept a low guaranteed or incentive-heavy contract to return to Flushing. And the Mets will no doubt consider other options, including their own Daniel Murphy , to start at first base. But Minaya's interest in monitoring Delgado's progress makes ..."

Beltran: Bring back Delgado

Comment

November 12

New York Post

"Carlos Beltran knows who he would like to see play first base for the Mets next season, and his name isn't Daniel Murphy. The All-Star center fielder, appearing at a charity event yesterday in Harlem, put in a strong plug for Puerto Rican countryman Carlos Delgado to be brought back. "Honestly, I would love to," Beltran said when asked if he would like to see the Mets re-sign the 37-year-old slugger. "That's up to the team, but Delgado is a guy who, when healthy, you're going to get a lot of contributions from him." Delgado, who filed for free agency last week, missed all but 26 games last season due to hip surgery and a strained oblique. But he told Beltran recently that he plans to play ..."

Delgado's Mets days may be done

Comment

September 19

New York Post

"Carlos Delgado may have played his last game as a Met. The first baseman, who will be a free agent this winter, admitted yesterday that a return this season is highly unlikely. Delgado's surgically repaired hip acted up last week when he tried to run, the latest setback for the 37-year-old. "I was trying to run again outside this week and it didn't feel very good afterwards," Delgado said. "We don't have very much time. I don't want to rule anything out. "We'll see how it is over the weekend, and I guess we'll have to make a decision." Mets manager Jerry Manuel sounded pessimistic when asked about Delgado before last night's game with the Nationals at Citi Field. "I think time is running ..."

Don't be shocked if Mets give Delgado curtain call

Comment

September 11

New York Post

columnist Bart Hubbuch

"CARLOS Delgado is keep ing a low profile around the Mets and Citi Field these days, rarely talking to reporters as he works his way back from hip surgery. The team's best player the second half of the 2008 season is now little more than an afterthought, his departure from Queens after this miserable season considered by many to be a forgone conclusion. It's easy to come up with a list of reasons why the Mets should cut ties with the veteran first baseman once he becomes a free agent this winter. Delgado turned 37 in late June, and the Mets haven't exactly had a lot of luck with aging players in recent years. Delgado is a liability at first base, which is even more problematic because ..."

Carlos Delgado could return to NY Mets for last two weeks of season

Comment

September 10

Newark Star-Ledger

"Carlos Beltran is back. John Maine is on his way back. Next up: Carlos Delgado? Mets manager Jerry Manuel said Wednesday that Delgado's status has been "upgraded" and that the first baseman could return for the last two weeks of the regular season. Delgado, who is coming off hip surgery and a strained oblique muscle, hasn't played since May 10. Manuel said the oblique is no longer an issue. Delgado was at Citi Field for a team photo but was not available to comment. He is 37 and will be a free agent this winter, so he has no shortage of motivation to return, even if only for the last week or two."

Delgado could still return

Comment

September 10

New York Post

"The Mets may have nothing meaningful to play for the rest of the season, but Carlos Delgado does. It was only Sunday that Jerry Manuel said the soon-to-be free agent had a "very slim" chance to play again this season, but the manager amended his previous prognostication prior to last night's loss. "That's been upgraded," Manuel said. "Seeing him do a few things, I think we are looking at maybe the last two weeks as a possibility for him playing." Delgado, who was at Citi Field yesterday for team pictures, was unavailable for comment. He briefly played in the field during batting practice, taking throws at first base from second baseman Luis Castillo and throwing balls to home. The first ..."

Gary Sheffield, Carlos Delgado doubtful to return this season

Comment

September 7

New York Daily News

"Any Met fans still holding their breath to see Gary Sheffield or Carlos Delgado back in the middle of the lineup should stop. Jerry Manuel is doubtful either injured slugger will play again this season. When asked about Sheffield, the manager said, "I don't foresee him playing." And he described Delgado as "pretty close to being out" for the rest of the season. That would also mean their tenure as Mets is probably over. Each becomes a free agent after this season. Sheffield is batting .279 with a team-high 10 home runs in 95 games, but hasn't played the field since coming out of a game on Aug.26 (he pinch-hit on Aug.28). The team termed his injury "back spasms." Manuel said he tries to ..."

Mets and Murphy May Benefit From Delgado's New Injury

Comment

August 14

New York Times

"When the Mets announced on Wednesday that Carlos Delgado's comeback attempt from hip surgery had been derailed by a right oblique strain, the impulsive reaction would have been to label it as bad news. And it is — for the 37-year-old Delgado, whose contract expires after this season. He wants to play in 2010, although it is unlikely the Mets are interested, and a September's worth of at-bats could have shown that he was healthy, thus improving his odds at landing another deal somewhere else. But how bad is this latest injury for the Mets? Now that they, too, are playing for 2010, the Mets are using the next seven weeks to assess their roster. If Delgado had returned, the Mets probably ..."

Delgado, Wright Injuries Overshadow Rare Mets 'W'

Comment

August 13

New York Post

"Despite averting a sweep by the lowly Diamondbacks with a 6-4 win at Chase Field, the Mets learned that the rest of Carlos Delgado's season is in doubt and David Wright has a strained right knee. First, the more serious of the two ailments: Delgado's comeback from right hip surgery was put on hold for at least two weeks after the veteran slugger suffered a strained right oblique muscle last weekend. Delgado, who has been sidelined since May 11 after having a torn labrum in his hip repaired, was working out at the Mets' facility in Port St. Lucie last Saturday when he felt discomfort in his abdomen. Delgado returned to New York on Monday, and team doctor Struan Coleman diagnosed the oblique ..."

Carlos Delgado

Comment

August 4

New York Daily News

"Carlos Delgado finally was back in the batter's box launching home runs. And Carlos Beltran finally was back in center field tracking fly balls Monday at Citi Field. Mind you, this was before -- and not during - Monday night's series finale against Arizona. But these were the latest positive steps, nonetheless, for the two injured Mets, who continue to target mid-August returns to the lineup. "In my mind, that's my plan. That's my target and I'm doing everything possible to accomplish that," said Beltran, who has been out since June 22 with a bone bruise behind his right knee. "Today was a good day for me, honestly ... because I was able to go out and move around and that gave me ..."

New York Mets first baseman Carlos Delgado takes batting practice for first time since May hip injury

Comment

July 13

Newark Star-Ledger

"For the first time since he had hip surgery in May, Mets first baseman took indoor batting practice Sunday morning before the team took on the Reds in the final game before the All-Star Break. "It felt good," Delgado said. "I was able to crank it up and it felt good." There is still no timetable for Delgado's expected return. He took fielding drills earlier this week. Mets manager Jerry Manuel said he was impressed with Delgado's work in the cage. "He looked good to me," Manuel said. "I think if you recollect in going back, it never really bothered him to hit. It was the other things. And I think he's still in that same place.""

Delgado, Reyes Offer Hope, but Time's Short

Comment

July 13

New York Post

"THE stands were empty. The grounds crew was grooming the field. First pitch was still more than three hours away. Yet Jerry Manuel was in short right field watching what may be his season, perhaps even his managerial career. First Carlos Delgado and then Jose Reyes -- both clad in dark blue shorts -- went through a series of agility drills. They high-stepped, side-stepped and stepped as quickly as possible through a rope ladder lying on the grass. They sweated under a strong morning sun and grabbed at the edges of their shorts between exercises to regain their breath. But, most important, both moved rather athletically. Manuel noticed just the hint of a limp in Reyes. One trainer held a ..."

Mets' Carlos Delgado helps home team, welcomes Puerto Rican teens

Comment

July 12

New York Daily News

""Tough, man. It's been a tough month because the team is not playing good. Whether you're sitting at the park or watching on TV, the team is struggling," says Delgado. "And you can't do nothing about it. That's been the frustrating part. In every aspect, it sucks being hurt." But while Delgado, 37, pushes himself with rehab and hopes for a second-half surge by his team following this week's All-Star break, he has not eased up on any of his charitable efforts, including yesterday's All-Star treatment for more than a dozen Puerto Rican high school students who spent the day with the Mets' first baseman. This is the fifth year that Delgado's charity - Extra Bases - has been part of an event ..."

New York Mets' Carlos Delgado takes next step in rehab: Fielding ground balls

Comment

July 9

The Times of Trenton

"Three-and-a-half hours before Wednesday night's game vs. the Dodgers, Carlos Delgado was out on the diamond in Citi Field fielding ground balls. It was the next step in the Mets first baseman's rehab following May hip surgery and, like his recovery thus far, it went smoothly. "I took about 25 to 30 ground balls right around me," Delgado said. "Not a whole lot of movement, but by design. And it was good, no pain." Delgado has a schedule of steps to make before his targeted mid-August return. Fielding ground balls was on the agenda for Wednesday. Next is batting practice. He also expects to begin running outside next week, after running in the pool this week. But the schedule is adjusted ..."

Rehabbing Carlos Delgado is making progress toward return to Mets

Comment

July 9

New York Daily News

"There was tangible proof Wednesday that Carlos Delgado's rehabilitation is going smoother than those of his fellow injured Met teammates. Delgado isn't supposed to be back until mid-August following May hip surgery, but he fielded 25-30 grounders at first base before Wednesday night's game against the Dodgers. Unlike with the up-and-down rehabs of Jose Reyes (hamstring) and Carlos Beltran (knee), Delgado appears to be making steady progress for an eventual second-half return. "Everything that we do, we have some sort of plan, and we'll adjust it, depending on how I feel," Delgado said. "I feel good, I feel better....(Infield practice) was good, no pain." Delgado, who started taking ..."

Delgado Ahead of Scedule

Comment

July 9

New York Post

"Carlos Delgado -- out since May 11 with an injured right hip -- fielded ground balls for the first time yesterday. And after he'd conservatively estimated a mid-August return, now manager Jerry Manuel and Sandy Alomar Sr. both told The Post that Delgado could be back by Aug. 1. "Very, very encouraging. That's a part of the progression. He's right on schedule, if not ahead of schedule," Manuel said before the Mets' 5-4 victory over the Dodgers. "I'm not certain of mid-August. I'm thinking as long as there are no setbacks, and we're progressing, I'm thinking better than that." Manuel was thinking more like Aug. 1, which is two weeks earlier than the first baseman himself had estimated just ..."

After surgery, Mets' Carlos Delgado still not in swing of things

Comment

June 12

New York Daily News

"Carlos Delgado fiddled with a bat while chatting with Alex Cora in the Mets' clubhouse Thursday, but the first baseman won't do any real swinging for at least three weeks - and probably longer than that. Delgado already believes his surgery was worthwhile, since he doesn't feel the "pinching" sensation in his right hip that he felt before the May 19 procedure to repair a torn labrum and remove a bone spur. Still, he can't be fully sure he'll continue progressing just yet. "It's hard to tell," Delgado said. "I haven't attempted to run, take a swing." Delgado has been riding an exercise bicycle, but is steering clear of placing weight or doing any rotational activity with the hip. LEFT IN: ..."

Rehab From Hip Surgery On Schedule

Comment

June 12

New York Post

"A healthy and pain-free Carlos Delgado spoke to reporters yesterday and said his rehab from right hip surgery last month is on schedule. Though Delgado still is expected to be sidelined until at least the end of July, the Mets slugger feels so good that the rehab will become more aggressive in the next couple of weeks. "Everything is going good," Delgado said before the Mets' 6-5, 10-inning loss to the Phillies last night at Citi Field. "I'm doing what they tell me to do without pain, without any discomfort. The plan is to continue that for the first four or five weeks. It's more of a healing process than an exercise process, even though I'm getting [physical therapy] every day. Though ..."

Delgado hopes to return this season

Comment

May 29

Bergen Record

"For a guy on crutches, Carlos Delgado certainly proved elusive when it came to defining a timetable for his return to the Mets' lineup. The slugger, recovering from hip surgery, won't guarantee he'll be back this season. Then again, he sees no reason why he shouldn't. "Some people say eight weeks, some people say 10 weeks - the plan is to get healthy first and once I'm healthy, I'll be back for the duration," Delgado said Thursday at a team fund-raiser in his first public comments since undergoing arthroscopic surgery May 19 to repair an impingement of his right hip, bone spurs and a torn labrum. "I think it's going to happen sometime this year," the 36-year-old said. "I can't guarantee ..."

Minaya can see Delgado coming back to Mets on fast track

Comment

May 20

New York Daily News

"Hours after Carlos Delgado had surgery on his balky right hip Tuesday morning, GM Omar Minaya said that he expects the first baseman back in a Mets uniform before the July 31 trading deadline. Team doctor Struan Coleman performed arthroscopic surgery on Delgado's right hip at the Hospital for Special Surgery to repair a labrum tear and also to remove a bone spur in the joint. "Somewhere about 10 weeks," Minaya said about the timetable for Delgado's return. "But, of course, you don't know that until the guy goes out there and rehabs. Guys have had this before and there's a good track record of that range of 10 weeks. So we hope that's the case." Minaya said he's content with Fernando ..."

Carlos Delgado Opts For Hip Surgery; Career In Peril

Comment

May 19

New York Post

"Carlos Delgado finally decided yesterday to have surgery on his right hip, a move that certainly will sideline him for at least six weeks -- but possibly end his season and maybe even his career. The Mets' veteran first baseman, who went on the 15-day disabled list Saturday, is scheduled to have the arthroscopic procedure today at the Hospital for Special Surgery in Manhattan. Team doctor Struan Coleman is to perform the surgery, which is being done to address the impingement in Delgado's hip as well as to repair a torn labrum and remove a bone spur. An impingement is a lack of space between the neck of the hip socket and the rim. The condition causes them to jam together when the hip is ..."

Carlos Delgado to have hip surgery, season in doubt for Mets

Comment

May 19

New York Daily News

"Carlos Delgado will land on an operating table today, three days after he landed on the disabled list with a labrum tear in his right hip. Team doctor Struan Coleman is scheduled to perform arthroscopic surgery at the Hospital for Special Surgery in Manhattan to repair the tear and remove a bone spur that has caused an impingement in the first baseman's right hip. Jerry Manuel could not say whether Delgado would return this season, but a team official was adamant that the first baseman would again contribute in 2009. A team spokesman would not place a timetable on Delgado's return until after the procedure. It would appear a two-month absence is a bare minimum, leaving a void in the ..."

Delgado to Have Surgery; Mets Weigh Replacements

Comment

May 19

New York Times

"The announcement Monday that Carlos Delgado would need extensive surgery on his right hip was hardly surprising. But it will still have a sobering effect on the Mets, who must figure out how to replace his power and production - perhaps for months - while deciding whether their cast of fill-ins at first base will be sufficient. Delgado is scheduled to have surgery Tuesday to repair a torn labrum and a bone spur, and the Mets are choosing to wait until afterward before giving a timetable on his return. But for guidance they can examine the case of the Yankees' Alex Rodriguez, who missed two months after having only his labrum fixed in spring training. Delgado's surgery is expected to be ..."

Mets activate Angel Pagan as Carlos Delgado sent home to see hip specialist

Comment

May 17

New York Daily News

"Carlos Delgado will see a hip specialist at the Hospital for Special Surgery in Manhattan tomorrow, and the visit figures to help determine whether he needs surgery to repair a right hip impingement. The Mets' first baseman, sidelined since Monday, went on the disabled list before Saturday's game against the Giants and flew to New York. Outfielder Angel Pagan, who had surgery on March 11 to remove a bone spur from his right elbow, was activated from the DL and took Delgado's roster spot. The addition of Pagan, a defensively capable outfielder, will allow Jerry Manuel to use Jeremy Reed at first base along with Fernando Tatis, as well as Daniel Murphy on a more limited basis. A ..."

Manuel Braces for Worst as Delgado Goes on D.L.

Comment

May 17

New York Times

"Carlos Delgado returned to New York on Saturday morning to begin his stay on the disabled list and wait for an examination that will determine whether he needs surgery to repair the torn labrum in his right hip. The Mets are unsure how much time Delgado will miss or if he will require surgery, but Manager Jerry Manuel said he was bracing for bad news. "I am, I am, that's just the way I see it," Manuel said before the Mets played the Giants on Saturday. "He tried a number of things to get better, to get some comfort, but he could never find it. I don't anticipate this being a 15-day thing, in my opinion. I could be wrong. Hopefully, I am wrong." Delgado has an impingement that has created ..."

Carlos Delgado to go on DL, and may need hip surgery

Comment

May 16

New York Daily News

"Sources told the Daily News early Saturday that Carlos Delgado's ailing right hip will force the first baseman to be put on the disabled list prior to Saturday's 4 p.m. EDT game. The injury might even put the slugger on the operating table. The Mets have no plans to promote 20-year-old prospect Fernando Martinez to replace Delgado on the roster. Outfielder Angel Pagan, who has been rehabbing from right elbow surgery, might be an option. More likely, an infielder such as Mike Lamb or Ramon Martinez would be promoted. Meanwhile, Jeremy Reed made his first professional start at first Fridat night. Daniel Murphy, who has played 13 minor-league games at the position, worked out at first base ..."

Delgado's Season In Jeopardy; Putz Ailing, Too

Comment

May 15

New York Post

"This doesn't sound good at all. The Mets announced yesterday that they will play two men short for at least another day and could end up playing the rest of the season without first baseman Carlos Delgado. General manager Omar Minaya delivered this double whammy on the injury front: Delgado has a multitude of potentially career-ending problems in his ailing right hip, and set-up man J.J. Putz has developed a bone spur in his pitching elbow. It doesn't look promising, but the Mets now plan to wait until Sunday before making a decision on Delgado and what seems to be an inevitable trip to the disabled list -- and possibly could lead to the end of the 36-year-old's career. Minaya said team ..."

J.J. Putz to sit with elbow injury, no decision yet on Carlos Delgado

Comment

May 15

New York Daily News

"J.J. Putz is joining Carlos Delgado on the shelf, at least for a few games. Putz had an MRI on Wednesday that revealed inflammation in the back of the elbow, which has caused a bone spur, Mets GM Omar Minaya said. The reliever took a shot of anti-inflammatory medication, which will cause him to sit for two days at least. Putz has joined the team in San Francisco after being seen by team doctor David Altchek. "He's had this spur before, and guys sometimes play with it," Minaya said. Minaya reiterated that Delgado has an impingement of the right hip, which created a slight tear. Has also has a bone spur in the hip. Minaya said he will wait through the weekend and see how a new therapy works ..."

DL Likely For Delgado

Comment

May 14

New York Post

"Carlos Delgado was headed to San Francisco with the Mets yesterday, but it didn't sound as if the first baseman will need a uniform anytime soon. Manager Jerry Manuel said before the Mets' 8-7 loss to the Braves in 12 innings that he's not confident Delgado will avoid a disabled list stint. Delgado missed his third straight game as he continues to rest a sore right hip that first started bothering him earlier in the month. "I don't want to be a pessimist, but because of the reoccurrence, it's not comforting," Manuel said. "I'm not confident in the fact that he will be OK. But if it is something that we can manage, which we are trying to do, then I'm OK with that." Delgado has ruled out a ..."

DL Looming For Delgado

Comment

May 13

New York Post

"Carlos Delgado probably can start thinking in terms of a disabled-list stint. Unless the hurting first baseman has a drastic reversal in the next day or two, the Mets will place Delgado on the DL, giving him a chance to fully rest his ailing right hip. Delgado was not in last night's starting lineup against the Braves, his second straight game on the shelf. Delgado was examined yesterday by team physician Dr. David Altchek, but the Mets released no information. "[Delgado] is still very uncomfortable at this point," manager Jerry Manuel said. Asked for a timetable to make a decision on Delgado, Manuel pointed to Friday in San Francisco. Fernando Tatis received a second straight start at ..."

Concern Rises Over Delgado's Latest Injury

Comment

May 12

New York Post

"The previous time Carlos Delgado had to miss a game because of his ailing right hip, he could not come back right away. Delgado missed four games before returning, and now that he was out of the Mets' lineup last night, he may be out for a few more days. Unfortunately for the Mets, Delgado's hip is becoming a serious issue, one that has Jerry Manuel alarmed -- for good reason. "It's a concern for me," Manuel said before last night's series opener vs. the Braves at Citi Field. Delgado was too sore to be in the lineup last night and Manuel does not expect him to play tonight, either. The first baseman has an inflamed hip joint and that might not be all. GM Omar Minaya also mentioned ..."

Delgado's Longest Home Run

Comment

May 7

New York Post

columnist Mike Vaccaro

"THERE were 37,600 fans inside Citi Field; they all leapt to their feet now, spilling beer, spilling peanuts, spilling mustard on their shirts, screaming incoherently because they knew they were about to see the defining moment of their evening. There were 16 baseball players in the dugout who jumped off the bench, six pitchers who scrambled from their various perches in the bullpen, various coaches and trainers and support folks all craning for a better look. They knew they were watching something more valuable to them than a winning Derby Superfecta ticket: a run in support of Johan Santana. The rain had started to fall just as the ball shattered Fernando Tatis' bat, so maybe that made ..."

Carlos Delgado's pain likely will stay

Comment

May 3

New York Daily News

"Carlos Delgado again was unable to start at first base, but he ended up making his first appearance since his right hip flared up last Sunday. Delgado walked as a pinch-hitter in the eighth inning and John Maine ran for him. Delgado's appearance confirms that the Mets don't intend to put him on the DL, since any stint can no longer be backdated. Jerry Manuel said a prolonged rest wouldn't do Delgado's hip good anyway, since the medical staff has advised that the condition is not likely to improve with inactivity. Instead, Manuel said, the irritation is likely to linger for the season, and Delgado's ability to play will be an issue of pain tolerance. Still, it's noteworthy that newly ..."

Hip Check Keeps Delgado Out; May Land Him On DL

Comment

May 2

New York Post

"Carlos Delgado's balky hip knocked him out of the lineup last night, and he could be heading to the disabled list. Delgado, who hasn't played since Sunday and received an injection in the hip this week, was in manager Jerry Manuel's initial lineup against the Phillies before being a late scratch. Manuel said how Delgado's hip feels today will decide whether the Mets take the drastic step of putting him on the disabled list. Fernando Tatis once again started at first base in Delgado's place in the Mets' 7-4 victory. "[Today] will be a big day for him," Manuel said. "If he is still struggling with that and was not used tonight, then [a DL stint] would be something we would have to at least ..."

Delgado scratched from Mets lineup, could swing to disabled list

Comment

May 2

New York Daily News

"Carlos Delgado, briefly listed inÂ Friday night's lineup against the Phillies, withdrew because of continued right hip discomfort. Jerry Manuel said the first baseman, who hasn't played since Sunday, could land on the disabled list this weekend if he didn't demonstrate improvement. Still, Omar Minaya said afterÂ Friday night's 7-4 win against the Phillies: "I'm hoping that he's not going to go on (the DL)." The GM acknowledged there's no obvious call-up. Nick Evans is hitting .098, infielder Andy Green needs surgery after breaking a thumbÂ Friday night and the Mets really don't need another outfielder such as Fernando Martinez (.260), Jesus Feliciano (.297) or Wily Mo Pena (3-for-8). Any ..."

Luis Castillo, Carlos Delgado still on mend for Mets

Comment

April 30

New York Daily News

"Luis Castillo walked the clubhouse gingerly, clutching his ailing back with his right hand. But the second baseman reiterated he hoped to return to the lineup Friday in Philadelphia, after a team off-day Thursday. Carlos Delgado also is eyeing a return for the series opener against the Phillies. Delgado missed the entire Marlins series with right hip inflammation. "Maybe I'll play," Castillo said."

Mets hope to have ailing stars Friday

Comment

April 29

MLB.com

"As expected, the Mets' starting lineup on Wednesday afternoon was missing Carlos Delgado and Luis Castillo, with manager Jerry Manuel hoping to get his starters "somewhat healthy" following Thursday's off-day. But Castillo wasn't quite as optimistic about returning to the lineup on Friday. Pulled from Monday's game after four innings and citing back spasms that wouldn't even let him bend, Castillo was still experiencing tightness on Wednesday afternoon. Prior to receiving treatment, he told reporters he didn't know whether his injury would warrant a trip to the disabled list. "I feel better," Castillo said, holding the right side of his back. "But I don't feel 100 percent." The second ..."

Carlos Delgado, Luis Castillo out of New York Mets lineup again with injuries

Comment

April 29

The Times of Trenton

"The Mets are a little banged up heading into Wednesday afternoon's series finale against the Florida Marlins. First baseman Carlos Delgado will miss his third game in a row because of a hip injury, and Luis Castillo is out for the second straight day with muscle spasms in his lower back. Mets manager Jerry Manuel said he expects both back for this weekend's three-game series at Philadelphia. Johan Santana (3-1, 0.70 ERA) will start against the Marlins' Josh Johnson (2-0, 2.20) in a re-match of their April 12 duel in Miami. Johnson threw a complete game in the Marlins' 2-1 victory. Other pre-game notes from Citi Field: Manuel left open the possibility of carrying three catchers when Brian ..."

Delgado 'Sore' After Shot To Hip

Comment

April 29

New York Post

"Omar Minaya said Carlos Delgado has received a cortisone shot in his inflamed right hip, and the ailing first baseman is expected to miss his third straight game today. Delgado, who underwent an MRI yesterday, was scratched from Monday's game, as well as last night's 7-4 loss to the Marlins. Manager Jerry Manuel also figures to rest him in today's series finale. "He's still a little sore," Manuel said before the game. Manuel expects Delgado to return to the lineup Friday in Philadelphia. Delgado insisted his situation was "not a huge deal." * In the offseason, the Mets signed right-hander Freddy Garcia to a contract that would have paid him millions if he reached certain totals in innings, ..."

Losing To A-Roid No Sticking Point For 'Clean' Carlos

Comment

February 20

New York Post

"More than five years after Carlos Delgado finished second to Alex Rodriguez in the 2003 American League MVP voting, it was a question worth asking here yesterday. Is Delgado miffed that Rodriguez copped the award for a phenomenal season A-Rod now admits was fueled by performance-enhancing drugs? "It's funny, because a lot of people brought [2003] up," said the Met slugger, giving no evidence he's bitter over the matter, or ever was. "I can't change what happened. I thought I had a pretty good chance to win it myself before any of this came out. But it didn't happen, so I wasn't going to let that kind of overshadow the season I had. "All I can do is go out and try to have a great year ..."

Delgado 'has no thoughts' on Rodriguez

Comment

February 11

Globe and Mail

"Carlos Delgado now knows he lost the 2003 American League most valuable player award to a cheater. "I've had a lot of e-mail requests for comment from Carlos ... and when I asked him for his thoughts, he just wrote, 'I have no thoughts,' " Delgado's agent, David Sloane, said yesterday. Alex Rodriguez has admitted using performance-enhancing substances for three years when he was with the Texas Rangers. That includes 2003, when he hit .298 with 47 home runs and 118 runs batted in and collected 242 points in MVP voting, ahead of Delgado's 219. Shortly after, Delgado, then with the Toronto Blue Jays, admitted he'd expected to win the award. He'd hit .302 with 42 homers and a major ..."

Carlos Delgado will honor Roberto Clemente at the World Baseball Classic

Comment

January 16

New York Daily News

"Carlos Delgado knows there will be much riding on his back when he dons his World Baseball Classic jersey for Puerto Rico in March. The Met first baseman has been given permission by Roberto Clemente's family to wear No. 21, a number considered sacred on the island because of the selfless icon who wore it for the Pittsburgh Pirates. No Puerto Rican player has worn No. 21 in international competition since the Puerto Rican winter league officially retired it after the 1998 season. Delgado says he's "honored and flattered" that Lou Melendez, the GM of Puerto Rico's team, asked the Clemente family's permission and they said yes. There's nerves, too - "I have to make sure I don't embarrass ..."

Delgado Eager For Amazin' Return In '09

Comment

November 6

New York Post

"The Mets still might trade him this offseason, but Carlos Delgado sounds confident he will be wearing the home whites at new Citi Field next season. A week after the Mets picked up their $12 million option on the final year of his contract, the veteran first baseman yesterday appeared to discount speculation he could be dealt over the winter. "I know I'm going back to Port St. Lucie in February and going to New York in April, so I'm really looking forward to that," Delgado said in a conference call with reporters. Delgado definitely knows where he will be next March - playing for his native Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic. That was one of several topics the 36-year-old slugger ..."

Mets Like Delgado Option

Comment

October 3

New York Post

"Barring a trade, it appears Carlos Delgado will remain the Mets' first baseman. General manager Omar Minaya said yesterday the team almost certainly will exercise its option on Delgado. "I've spoken with his agent and just let him know that we are probably looking at having Carlos Delgado, we're picking up the option," Minaya said on a conference call. "We have made contact with his agent and notified him that we are going towards picking up his option." The move allows the Mets to have control over Delgado at a reasonable cost and gives them the flexibility to move him in a deal. Delgado's option is for $12 million (the alternative is a $4 million buyout). This past season the ..."

Decision time on Delgado

Comment

September 30

Bergen Record

"Carlos Delgado almost certainly will be back with the Mets, as the option the team holds on his contract is a no-brainer in a winter of uncertainty. But it isn't just the contract that would bring back Delgado. Delgado, who seemed on the verge of being run out of town after the first two months of the season, wants to come back not just for his own good, but to try to right the wrongs of the past three seasons. "Well, it would be nice for a change [for the team] - it's not a joke," Delgado said. "We've got a good group of guys. There's a lot of talent here. I like it. "I'd love to come back. It's a great challenge. I feel like we've got some unfinished business." Delgado had as much to do ..."

Delgado: I'd Like To Be Back

Comment

September 30

New York Post

"In May the idea of the Mets bringing Carlos Delgado back was laughable. Now, it seems logical. As the team rakes through the ashes of another lost season and what moves must be made heading into 2009, one of the first areas the front office needs to figure out is whether to exercise the $12 million option on Delgado, who will turn 37 next season. The first baseman played terribly for the first 2½ months of the season and then became the Mets' best player for the second half of the season. "I'd like to be back," Delgado said yesterday at Shea Stadium as he gathered his belongings. "I like this group of guys. I think we've got a great team. It's a good opportunity, so we'll see what ..."

Carlos Delgado has cause enough to be National League MVP over Albert Pujols

Comment

September 14

New York Daily News

columnist Bill Madden

"The sudden MVP clamor in Metville for Carlos Delgado is striking a sour note in the heartland, where Albert Pujols remains the man, even if his St. Louis Cardinals are a team going in the wrong direction these waning days of September. As the case is being made for Delgado, off his torrid stretch of production since late June, which has coincided with the Mets' rise from third to first place, the Pujols boosters are saying: "Whoa, hold on there! Let's look at the whole record!" Going into the weekend, Pujols was out-hitting Delgado by nearly 100 points, and in the all-important runners-in-scoring-position category, .320 to .278. Pujols is likely to end up leading the National League in ..."

Carlos Delgado proving to be most valuable Met

Comment

September 11

New York Daily News

columnist Bill Madden

"As if the high associated with being in first place in the second week of September isn't enough to keep their juices flowing with every pitch and every at-bat, there is also a sense of amazement among the Mets these days at how Carlos Delgado has thrust himself into the NL MVP conversation. "It is amazing what he's done this last month and a half," said Jose Reyes. "I know he's my MVP. Every time he swings his bat, it seems he does something good for this team." Wednesday night was no exception, as Delgado's sac fly in the seventh inning broke a tie in what turned out to be an unseemly 13-10 win over the Nationals that, combined with the Phillies' loss to Florida, increased the Mets' NL ..."

Delgado's turnaround has been amazing

Comment

September 10

Newsday

columnist Ken Davidoff

"Justin Morneau, to choose one example, started slowly in what proved to be his Most Valuable Player season. In March and April of 2006, he tallied a .274 on-base percentage and .416 slugging percentage. In May, he increased the on-base percentage to a still-underwhelming .333, while his slugging jumped to a .505. Let's keep that in mind as we turn our attention to Carlos Delgado, who produced these on-base/slugging numbers: .293/.323 in March and April, .318/.454 in May and .308/.476 in June. So what we have here, with Delgado and the National League Most Valuable Player race, is a new twist to the award: Can someone be the league's Least Valuable Player at the start of the season, and the ..."

Curtain Call For Delgado

Comment

September 8

New York Post

columnist Kevin Kernan

"JUST call him Mr. Curtain Call. Or Mr. MVP. Carlos Delgado continued his amazing turnaround season last night, blasting two long solo home runs off Cole Hamels in the Mets' 6-3 victory over the Phillies in the second game of a doubleheader at Shea, earning the Mets a split after a 6-2 loss in the afternoon. The win marked the Mets' first September victory over the Phillies in two years. Delgado also lashed a two-run single in the first. He was the Mets' offense in a game they just had to win. Johan Santana put up the kind of pitching performance that has been the calling card of his career. It proved to be the perfect combination for the Mets. After Delgado's second home run, a 460-foot ..."