Williams Signs With Japan

At the Associated Press writes about Dave Williams and him signing with the Yokohama Baystars:

The Yokohama Baystars said Friday they have signed three US players including New York Mets pitcher Dave Williams, who spent much of last season on the disabled list.

The Central League team, who have not won a pennant since 1998, said they reached a one-year contract with 28-year-old southpaw Williams.

Williams has a 4.83 ERA with 22 wins and 31 losses in his six-year Major League career, most of it spent with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Newhan Wins Game One For Zephyrs

From Ed Ryan at Mets Fever (Network Member):

Bottom of the ninth, score tied in the AAA PCL first round playoff game. Dave Newhan walked with one out, then with two outs stole second and advanced to third on a wild pitch. With the pressure on the pitcher Newhan scores the winning run on a single by catcher Robinson Cancel.

The Zephyrs played game one of their playoff series tonight against Nashville. LHP Dave Williams was named the starter, Williams was penciled in as the Mets long man but after neck surgery very late in the off season Williams never recovered enough to contribute to the parent team this year. Williams pitched 6.1 innings in which he allowed one run on three hits and one walk, while striking out six. Williams was relieved by Joe Smith who completed the inning by stranding the inherited runners and geting two outs on ground balls. Another former pro Jon Adkins took over in the eighth and allowed a run to tie the score at 2-2. Two minor leaguers pitched the ninth and held the score tie; Cullen and Maldonado.

Fernando Tatis playing third went 2-3. 2B Newhan and CF Gomez had the RBIs. AHern who is the leadoff hitter and Gomez batting third both had walks and stolen bases.

The Rotation

Marty Noble at Mets.com, writes about the pitching rotation after the All-Star break:

The Mets' starting rotation, subject to change as New England's weather, has been established -- sort of -- for the games following the All-Star break. Orlando Hernandez, John Maine, Tom Glavine and, probably, Oliver Perez will start in the four-game series against the Reds at Shea Stadium.

Perez's assignment, of course, is contingent on his recovery from the back stiffness that prompted him to be assigned to the disabled list on Monday. The fifth start seemingly would go to the winless Mike Pelfrey or Dave Williams, who made his return to the big leagues on Sunday vs. the Astros.

The Rotation

Anthony Rieber at Newsday, writes about the Mets starting rotation after the All-Star break:

Orlando Hernandez will start Thursday against the Reds at Shea Stadium, followed by John Maine and Tom Glavine. Next Sunday's starter is undecided; the Mets hope it will be Oliver Perez if he is recovered from the back stiffness that put him on the disabled list July 3.

If Perez is ready, Mike Pelfrey or Dave Williams will get the first turn at the fifth spot next Monday in San Diego.

Player Update: Dave Williams

At CBS Sportsline, they write about Dave Williams and what the Mets have to decide on:

LHP Dave Williams is out of options, so if the Mets bring him up after his rehab assignment ends, he has to stay with the team or the Mets risk losing him to waivers. The Mets are considering starting Williams on Sunday, but he's only worked 13 1/3 innings in two rehab starts.

Player Update: Dave Williams

Matthew Cerrone at Mets Blog, writes about the status of Dave Williams and his latest rehab start:

Mets LHP Dave Williams allowed two runs on three hits through seven innings in his third rehab start for Triple-A New Orleans last night.

In three starts, he is 0–1 with a 3.93 ERA spanning 18.1 innings, during which he has struck out 11 batters and walked four. Opponents are hitting .200 against him, though he has allowed three home runs.

Player Update: Dave Williams

At Rotoworld, they give an update on Dave William's progress:

Dave Williams (herniated disc) allowed three runs and four hits in his first rehab start for Single-A St. Lucie on Friday.

The Mets are expected to have Williams start at Triple-A New Orleans on Wednesday or Thursday. He still could return from the disabled list prior to the All-Star break.

Player Update: Dave Williams

At Rotoworld, they write about Dave Williams and his way back from neck surgery:

Dave Williams (herniated disc) could pitch in a rehab game at Single-A Port St. Lucie as early as Friday.

Williams has been out since suffering a herniated disc in his neck in January. The Mets need a starter for one game of the June 29 doubleheader, Williams could be activated to make the start depending on how he does during his rehab outing

Player Update: Dave Williams

At Rotoworld, they write about Dave Williams:

Dave Williams (herniated disc) threw five innings in an extended spring training game on Sunday.

Williams, who has been out since January due to the herniated disc, could be activated to start one game of the June 29 doubleheader in Philadelphia.

Player Update: Valentin, Padilla, Sanchez, Hernandez, Martinez & Williams

Ed Ryan at Mets Fever (Shea Nation Network), writes about various Mets players on the Disabled List and how they're progressing:

Aside from Jose Valentin, along with a few bumps and bruises to the regular position players are relatively healthy. It's the pitching staff that has been hurt by injuries. There are five pitchers that could be on the roster that are currently on the disable list. In regards to Juan Padilla and Duaner Sanchez time frames aren't being discussed except to say hopefully in August. But Williams, Hernandez and even Pedro are progressing on schedule. John Delcos at Lo Hud Journal reports on the pitchers progress.

GM Omar Minaya said Pedro Martinez and Dave Williams are continuing their long-toss routines in Port St. Lucie. The timetables haven’t changed with Williams maybe in late June and Martinez in August.

-Minaya also said Orlando Hernandez could miss up to two more starts. “We aren’t going to rush him,’’ he said.

Player Update: Dave Williams

At Rotoworld, they give an update on Mets Pitcher Dave Williams:

Dave Williams (herniated disc) has resumed throwing and will begin a spring training-like regimen next week.

Williams should be ready to pitch in minor league rehab games in late May and could join the Mets in June.

Williams Update

John Delcos at the Journal News, gives an update of Dave Williams:

Dave Williams must wear his supportive neck collar for up to another two weeks.

The most he's been able to do physically is ride an exercise bike and use heavy elastic bands to work his shoulder (step on one end and lift the other end with his hand).

"It's driving me crazy, just looking ahead all the time," said Williams, who underwent surgery Jan. 31 to repair a herniated disc in his neck. "I get this urge to look to the side, but I can't."

Williams out until May

Mark Hale at the NY Post writes about Dave Williams and when we can expect his return:

Dave Williams could require three months of rehab before he is able to pitch for the Mets, his agent said yesterday.

The left-hander had surgery last Wednesday for a herniated disc in his neck, and yesterday his agent, David Pepe, said the understanding based on doctors who have seen Williams so far is that it will be three months until he can "be ready to pitch in games." That takes Williams out till around May.

"He's really very disappointed," said Pepe, "but the pain that he was experiencing when he was throwing made him unable to throw."

So the injuries keep coming even during the off season.

Mets look to Sosa with Williams out

Michael J. Schmidt at the New York Times writes about the Mets and how they will be leaning on Jorge Sosa now that Dave Williams will be out until June:

Dave Williams, who was viewed as a potential replacement for Darren Oliver as the Mets’ long reliever and an emergency starter, had an operation this week to repair a herniated disk in his neck and could be out until June, General Manager Omar Minaya said yesterday before leaving on a trip to Ghana to promote baseball.

Minaya said that Jorge Sosa, who was recently signed by the Mets, could fill Oliver’s role. The Mets could also turn to the left-handed reliever Scott Schoeneweis, whom they recently signed. Schoeneweis, who can pitch long relief, started 19 games in 2004.

Williams out until June?

At Rotoworld they write about Dave Williams and how long his recovery will take:

Mets GM Omar Minaya said Dave Williams, who underwent surgery Wednesday to repair a herniated disc in his neck, could be out until June.

At the time of the surgery, the Mets said it'd be next week, when they'd examine new X-rays, before they had any real idea when Williams would be back.

Dave Williams Undergoes Surgery

Gotham Baseball is also reporting that Dave Williams had surgery on a disc in his neck. It has not been determined how much time he will miss.

LHP DAVE WILLIAMS UNDERGOES SURGERY

Lefthanded pitcher Dave Williams underwent surgery today to repair a herniated disc in his neck. The procedure was performed by Dr. Patrick O’Leary at the Hospital for Special Surgery.

Williams’ return to baseball activities will be determined after evaluating X-Rays next week. The 6-3, 230-pounder began experiencing pain earlier this month when he started his throwing program.

Dave went 3-1 with a 5.59 ERA in six games, five starts for New York last season. In 29.0 innings, he yielded 39 hits, 18 runs, earned, with four walks and 16 strikeouts. He was acquired from the Cincinnati Reds in exchange for minor league righthanded pitcher Robert Manuel on May 25th. Williams also was 2-3 with a 7.20 ERA in eight starts with the Reds. In 40.0 innings, he allowed 54 hits, 34 runs, 32 earned, with 16 walks and 16 strikeouts

There has to be some sign of life

With pitchers and catchers reporting to spring training in less than a month, there is little left to do to the roster. The occasional trade rumor may whisper by. Like Haren or Blanton for Milledge. But we have to face the facts...the Mets are just going to have to sift through the surplus of mediocre talent and unproven talent that they have at their disposal to concoct an effective rotation.

The Mets will be entering spring training with 8 candidates for the remaining starter jobs. There's John Maine, Oliver Perez, Jorge Sosa, Phillip Humber, Mike Pelfrey, Alay Solar, Jason Vargas and Dave Williams.

This should be enough talent to piece together a decent rotation, but there may be just too much unproven talent and just a little too much up and down pitchers. There are two pitchers who have signs of being aces (Perez and Sosa) and if Peterson can work some of his Zen magic, they will return to form.

There are two former first round picks in Pelfrey and Humber. The problem with them is that they may not have the experience that they need to be effective in the Majors.

Dave williams may very well be going to the pen as the long relief man.

Then there is Jason Vargas and Alay Solar. Solar just beats himself up too much when he falls behind hitters and may be better suited in the pen. Vargas showed hints of being a decent middle of the rotation starter, but then fell off the horse in his sophomore year.

About the only shoe in in my eyes is John Maine. He demonstrated that he can handle the pressure and can come through at the most crucial times for the Mets.

At any rate the Mets will once again have a great bullpen that can win games for the Mets and could only need a starter to keep the game as close as they can until the bullpen is called upon.The perfect example is Trachsel least year.

Williams says he is open to starting or reliefing

Adam Rubin at his blog for the NY Daily News, writes about Dave Williams and his ambition to make the Mets better by assuming any role:

Dave Williams, who re-signed with the Mets yesterday, said he's prepared to compete for a rotation spot during spring training, but he's also perfectly willing to serve in Darren Oliver's long-relief role if the organization prefers.

“I’ve been a starter most of my career,” Williams said. “The caliber of this team, you just have to try to contribute some way. If it’s in the bullpen, that’s fine.”

"It's definitely exciting for me," he said. "Any time the team you end the year with wants you back it's definitely something special, especially since I came there halfway through the year and didn’t really pitch a half-season, per se, to show I can pitch in New York."

Mets Non-Tender players and sign Williams

Matthew Cerrone at Mets Blog, writes about the Mets who were non-tendered and the re-signing of Dave Williams:

As expected, the Mets did tender contracts to OF Endy Chavez, C Ramon Castro, LHP Oliver Perez and RHP Duaner Sanchez, while re-signing LHP Dave Williams to a one-year, $1.25 million deal.