Buffalo Bisons’ notebook: Injury ends Mejia’s year, adds to Herd’s woes

Today's Buffalo and WNY News brought to you by Metrowny.com

By: Dave Ricci, Sports Reporter

Wednesday, May 4, is the first league-wide day off in the 2011 International League season.

This break couldn't come any sooner for the Buffalo Bisons.

As if struggling out of the gate wasn't bad enough for a team that came into the season with so much promise, the Herd's woes continued to grow when it was announced the ace of the staff and Mets' top-prospect Jenrry Mejia's season was over because of an MCL tear in his right elbow.

Mejia was examined by New York Mets Medical Director Dr. David Altcheck on May 2. An MRI at the Hospital for Special Surgery in Manhattan and was diagnosed with a complete tear of the MCL in his right elbow.

Mejia will most likely require season-ending 'Tommy John Surgery' to repair the damage, but he is seeking a second opinion.

Entering the season as the No. 2 man in the Bison rotation, Mejia became top dog when Dillion Gee was promoted to the Mets.

Mejia threw just four innings in his most recent start, April 29 in Rochester, before exiting the game with discomfort in his pitching arm.

Mejia was 1-2 with a 2.86 ERA and 21 strikeouts in his five starts with Buffalo. Interestingly enough, Mejia struggled during his fourth start in Buffalo on April. Which bodes the question did the tear actually first happen that day?

Then become full blown on April 29.

It's another blow to a Bison staff that had already lost Boof Bonser to "Tommy John Surgery." Bonser went just 3.2 innings in his first start before leaving the game with what was thought to be nothing more than a strain.

............................................................................................................................................

The Herd kicks off an eight game home stand on May 5 when they play host to Louisville.

Dontrelle Willis (2-1, 2.10 ERA) who exploaded on the MLB scene in 2003, winning 14 games for the Marlins and earning the National League Rookie of the Year award. D-Train is scheduled to pitch for Louisville on Mother's Day.

............................................................................................................................................

Scranton-Wilkes/Barre, the Triple-A affiliate of the New York Yankees, make their first stop at Coca-Cola Field this week as well with three 7:05 starts Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday and the 1:05 series wrap on May 12.

............................................................................................................................................

Mets third baseman David Wright had this to say about Phillies fans when they broke into chants of U-S-A! U-S-A! when Osama Bin Laden's death was announced during the Mets-Phillies nationally televised game.

"I don't give Philadelphia fans too much credit. But they got this one right."

More Buffalo News and WNY News  and Buffalo Bisons News

Mets Tejada getting his work in with the Buffalo Bisons

 (photo: slgckgc on Flickr (Original version) UCinternational (Crop)

Today's Buffalo and WNY News brought to you by Metrowny.com 

Dave Ricci, Sports Reporter

Ruben Tejada isn’t getting ahead of himself.

Sure, the 21-year-old knows he is next in line to take over the job as the New York Mets starting shortstop-but for now he’s more than happy to sharpen his skills in the 716.

The Buffalo Bisons starting shortstop, Tejada is set to inherit the job currently held by Jose Reyes.

Tejada knows full-well that Reyes, who is in the last year of his contract with the Mets, is attractive trade bait should the Mets fade from the NL East chase.

But to his credit Tejada has remained focus on his place in Triple-A.

“I concentrate on my work,” Tejada said. “You never know what may happen tomorrow. I don’t have control of that.”
Though Tejada obviously has aspirations to hang his hat at Citi Field on a regular basis he has sure great maturity by not getting swept up in speculation regarding his future.

That kind of focus has impressed Bison skipper Tim Teufel a great deal.

“He’s concentrating day-to-day,” said Teufel. “I don’t think he’s looking too far into the future. I think he has his hands full here, he has to play shortstop every day here and also swing the bat. So he’s got a job to do here and I don’t think he’s looking too far ahead.”

Making the Opening Day roster at the start of last season, Tejada played 78 games with the Mets - getting 46 starts at second base and 24 at shortstop. While Tejada dazzled with his glove, his bat was a different story as he hit just .213.

“Last year was a great experience for me. I think it made me more ready for this level,” Tejada.

Tejada returned to Buffalo and posted a respectable .280 average in 65 games with the Herd.

Along with his mature way of looking at the whole picture Tejada’s mind set was also helped by the fact the Mets skipper Terry Collins said early on that Tejada would be the starting shortstop in Buffalo and play everyday.

Thus eliminating any doubt in Tejada’s mind how he would be used.

Tejada has been in a groove in the batters box as of late, connecting with four consecutive multi-hit games.

Being utilized at the top of the order as of late, Tejada said he feels comfortable regardless of where he bats.

“No it’s the same,” he said. “Hitting in the seventh or first. Everything is mental.”

Buffalo News WNY News

Buffalo Bisons’ notebook: Pitching staff already seeing changes; Mets recall Gee

 Today's Buffalo News and WNY News from Metrowny.com

By: Dave Ricci, Sports Reporter

How quickly things can change.

On April 8, the Buffalo Bisons could boast what looked to be the strongest rotation, at least on paper, in all of Triple-A.

Reliable Dillon Gee anchored a staff that included top prospect Jenrry Mejia, 2011 Most Valuable Pitcher Pat Misch and veterans Boof Bonser and Casey Fossum.

Just a little over a week later Gee and Misch have been called up to New York, Bonser (Tommy John Surgery) is done for the season and Fossum is flirting with being a total bust.

Fossum was lit up on his first start of the year on April 11. He gave up seven runs on eight hits-including a grand slam - as the Herd suffered a humiliating 15-1 loss to Pawtucket. It was the worst loss the team ever experienced since moving into the downtown ballpark.

But, after the game, Fossum was more interested in venting about having to play in cold weather.

"When it’s that cold I don't even want to try and throw hard because you're just never loose, you're stiff," Fossum said, "and I'm not gonna cut a pitch loose when it's 20-degree wind chill and risk hurting my shoulder or anything."

In Fossum's defense he hadn't thrown to live batters in 10 days since his last spring training session, so a case could be made he wasn't stretched out enough.

That said, guy, you're with the Mets. If you hope to get up to the bigs again, and, assumably want to pitch in the post season, wouldn't you be pitching in similar cold conditions come playoff time?

Factoring in that Fossum went 2-5 with a 5.75 ERA last season in Japan you can't help but think that maybe, just maybe,his rough outing wasn't just because of the weather.

.....................................................................

Former Buffalo Bison Greg LaRocca stopped by the press box on April 8 with his wife, Amanda, and their two small children.

The 38-year-old native of Oswego, who played for the Bisons from 2001-03, recently retired from baseball after spending the last seven seasons playing in Japan.

LaRocca has spent his final three seasons with the Orix Buffaloes of the Japanese Pacific League. Upon retiring, Orix had offered LaRocca a job as manager. But "Roc" turned it down in favor of returning home.

LaRocca is currently serving as a scout for Orix.

Like everyone around the world, LaRocca was shocked by the devastating earthquakes and tsunami that struck Japan and said he feels fortunate that he and his family returned home when they did.

"We were texting friends of ours all night long asking are you alright? Are you alright?" LaRocca said. "It was just unbelievable."

LaRocca, who made a career of being hit-by-pitch while with the Bisons, set what he believes to be a world record by getting struck by pitches 100 times in 2008.

...............................................................................

Outfielder, and former No.1 prospect, Fernando Martinez (right hamstring strain) was placed on the DL on April 15. He was hitting .313 this season.

..............................................................................

The Bisons begin an eight-game home stand Monday when they host Rochester at 6:05.

Visit metrowny.com for more Buffalo News and WNY News