These past few years, it seems like whenever the Mets are held back, the injury bug has something to do with it.
The fan-base knows that. Just observe how they reacted when the trainers were announced during the opening day festivities. It’s no surprise that they were booed.
It seems like there’s always been something a little bit off. Over the past few seasons, we’ve seen several occurrences of players returning from injury just to head right back out on the shelf. Whether it’s Johan Santana, Carlos Beltran or any of the others, rehab has to be completed. These players can get back when they’re 100 percent. There’s no reason to rush it.
I also wonder about the support equipment they have. If a player has a bad knee, he should have a top of the line brace for support, especially with the money they make. The training team needs to do some research, and if the braces are not top of the line, they need to get some better braces.
Also, stretching is important. I know firsthand that, when you’re coming back from an injury, it’s important to do a good amount of stretching. If not, that’s when strains, pulls and even worse results can happen. I am not saying that every injury is a result of not stretching, but players need to do their due diligence to make sure they’re ready to play at a minimal risk.
Who should be worried about with health on this Mets’ team? I have a couple of examples.
- Shawn Marcum- Has great stuff, but he’s struggled to stay healthy in his career. Already dealing with an ailment before his first start at a Met.
- David Wright- Had the intercostal issue in camp, and one can only hope he’s 100 percent. If there’s any chance of a successful season, Wright’s going to be the engine that keeps the train running.
- Travis D’Arnaud- He’s had injury concerns in the past, and as the team’s blue chip offensive prospect, he needs to prove that he can stay healthy. As long as he does that and mashes in Triple-A, he should be in Queens before you know it.
- Daniel Murphy- This guy seems to spend a short stint on the disabled list every year, but the Mets need his bat in the line-up. He’s a solid bat, and he’s improved at second base, which will obviously remain a work in progress.
- Ike Davis- Can Ike put in a full healthy season? After his injury on a freak collision with David Wright and his bout with Valley Fever, the Mets are looking for Ike to be a serious masher this season.
What do you think is the key to keeping this team healthy? Tell us in the comments section below.
