Duaner Sanchez on the Road Back to the Mets

After over a year of absence, the Mets could be getting their 7th inning guy back very soon. Duaner Sanchez has finally pitched back to back games in the minors.

He pitched for the AAA ballclub, The New Orleans Zephyrs and performed exceptionally. He did not give up any runs in any of his outings and struck out one on Saturday.

The last time he pitched was in 2006, the year the Mets made it to the playoffs.

In 49 games, the right hander went 5-1 with a beautiful 2.60 ERA. He almost struck out a batter per game with his 44Ks.

If he comes back and pitches this nasty, there is no reason why the Mets wouldn't be a favorite in the east.

With the Mets' bullpen woes these days, they can use any help they can get. Their 'pen currently consists of:

Scott Schoeneweis
Joe Smith
Jorge Sosa
Arron Heilman
Billy Wagner (Closer)
Pedro Feliciano


The numbers say that the bullpen is doing exceptional. But outcasts like reliever Sosa (6.23 ERA) and setup-man Heilman (6.23 ERA) stick out like sore thumb. The numbers do not reflect the performance that I have seen from the hurler as Schoeneweis and Smith are both inconsistent. That leaves only Feliciano and Wagner as the only stable parts of the bullpen. They are in need of that consistent reliever that can come out and help hand the ball to Wagner. All signs point to Sanchez.