Mets note...

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PIAZZA UPDATE: Mike Piazza, who was eligible to come off the 15-day disabled list yesterday, still has not fully tested his injured left leg while he recuperates in Florida, Duquette said.

Duquette told reporters that Piazza has done some soft-toss hitting and has also taken some hacks in a cage but still has not crouched behind the plate, which would be the best way for him to gauge just how close he is to returning.

Duquette was optimistic Piazza would go behind the plate soon, and even said he hoped Piazza would be playing in a minor league game by the end of this week.

 

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other notes..

If Kaz Ishii fares poorly tonight, manager Jim Tracy said the Dodgers would not hesitate to replace him in the rotation with Hideo Nomo.
In two starts at Triple-A Las Vegas, Nomo has given up five runs and 12 hits in seven innings, with 13 strikeouts.
Source: Los Angeles Times

The Dodgers acknowledged for the first time that Brad Penny is not likely to rejoin the starting rotation until well into September.
Penny hasn't thrown since leaving the mound in pain Aug. 9. He hopes to play catch this week. "It will take him several weeks just to get his arm in shape to where he could compete," physical therapist Pat Screnar said.
Source: Los Angeles Times

The Dodgers pulled Edwin Jackson from his scheduled appearance tonight for Triple-A Las Vegas and could put him in their bullpen today or Wednesday.
With Brad Penny nowhere close to returning and the bullpen continuing to let the team down, the Dodgers are showing some signs of desperation. Jackson would be a better option for the rotation than Hideo Nomo, but he's likely to pitch in relief since he's much better suited for success in that role than Nomo is.
Source: Los Angeles Times


Joaquin Benoit (stiffness in right biceps) will likely be placed on the disabled list today to make room on the 25-man roster for tonight's starter Chris Young.
Source: Star Telegram