Open Thread: Cubs vs. Mets, Tuesday 5/15, 6:10 CT

News today: Mark DeRosa is headed to the DL, after injuring the ring finger of his right hand yesterday, and Mike Fontenot is expected to be added to the 40-man roster and recalled to the 25-man roster today. A 40-man roster move will have to be made, likely sending Kerry Wood, Wade Miller or Juan Mateo to the 60-day DL (where players do not count against the 40-man roster limit.

Incidentally, that above link is incorrect. It says:

Nope! Fontenot was called up briefly in April 2005 and again in May 2005, pinch-hit five times and pinch-ran twice, and has not appeared in the major leagues since then. This information is easily available with a few mouse clicks; I found it here.

Onward to tonight's starting pitcher, Carlos Zambrano. Seems as if he and his agent may announce soon that they're going to have Z go to free agency rather than sign a contract extension with the Cubs.

Hey, Z, gotta news flash: how about stepping up and winning some games and pitching like the #1 starter you're supposed to be, first? Keep up a 5.83 performance where you are leading the NL in home runs allowed, and you'll be wishing you had signed the deal before Opening Day.

Harsh, but true. It's time for Z to step up, particularly after last night's blowup.

Meaningless Z stat: only two Cub pitchers, Claude Passeau (12) and Fergie Jenkins (13), have hit more HR in a Cub uniform than Z (11).

Today's Starting Pitchers

C. Zambrano Cubs vs. J. Maine Mets 3-3 W-L 5-0 5.83 ERA 1.79 35 SO 41 24 BB 24 10 HR 3 vs. NY -- vs. Cubs

Z has made only three starts (four total appearances) vs. the Mets in his career; he's 2-1, but with a 4.76 ERA, not an auspicious thought for tonight's game.

John Maine has been the Mets' best pitcher so far this season, having quality starts in all seven of his outings so far. The Cub he's faced the most, given his time in the NL East last year, is Alfonso Soriano. Soriano is only 2-for-13 vs. Maine -- but both of the hits are home runs. Maine was once one of the Orioles' best prospects, and was acquired by the Mets in yet another of those inexplicable Baltimore deals; the Orioles got Kris Benson for him. And also gave the Mets Jorge Julio, who sucked for the Mets, but who brought them El Duque. Smart man, that Omar Minaya.

Derrek Lee is expected back in New York for tonight's game, although it is uncertain at this writing whether he'll start or simply be available to pinch-hit. This BCB diary speculating as to why Mike Fontenot has traveled to New York was at first guessing that Lee might have to be disabled; but perhaps Mark DeRosa, who seemed to be hurt in a collision last night, is the guy who Fontenot might replace. Fontenot is not on the 40-man roster, and thus someone would have to be removed -- likely Kerry Wood, Wade Miller or Juan Mateo headed to the 60-day DL would be the move allowing Fontenot to be added, if needed.

This game is on CSN+ due to White Sox and Bulls telecasts and thus on CLTV in Chicago. I understand that while CLTV is not available in certain areas of Chicago, on DirecTV the game is available on channel 668. It's also at the Mediacenter.

MLB.com Gameday (2007 version)

MLB.com Gameday (2006 version)

Discuss amongst yourselves.