Church, Pagan, Castillo, To Return By July 21st…Pagan & Castillo As Bench Players ???

Marty Noble, of www.mlb.com, reports that the Mets roster could achieve a semblance of full strength on July 21st, the day Ryan Church becomes eligible to end his assignment to the disabled list. Before that date, the Mets are likely have Angel Pagan and Luis Castillo back. Not that either is guaranteed much playing time upon his return.

Pagan is likely to be the fifth outfielder after Church returns, ranking behind Church in right, Carlos Beltran in center and Fernando Tatis and Endy Chavez in left. And Mets manager Jerry Manuel indicated Sunday night Castillo also could return as a reserve.

The skipper, who weeks ago said he doesn't fill out his lineup card with an eye on the payroll, said the performance of Damion Easley and Argenis Reyes as second basemen has delighted him. Easley's offense and both aspects of Reyes' games have been elements in the team's recent reversal. The manager appeared to be in no rush to disrupt that tandem, Castillo or not.

Assigned to the disabled list because of a strained left hip flexor, he says the injury is to his left quad, Castillo becomes eligible to play on Friday.

"I need the [All-Star] break to think about that," Manuel said.

Easley provides significantly more punch than Castillo. If Castillo isn't batting second, he affords limited offense. And Reyes, something of a revelation, has greater range than Easley or Castillo, and his offense intrigues the manager.

"[Reyes is] always in the middle of something," Manuel said. "He doesn't stop rallies. He keeps them going or he gets the big hit."

But what purpose would Castillo serve if he didn't play regularly, and how would he react to diminished duty? Manuel didn't consider either an issue, nor had he given either situation much thought, he said. He has at least three days to do so.

Church has begun prescribed neck and upper back exercises to alleviate tension that contributes to migraine headaches. They already have had a positive effect. He expects to return when eligible. But he isn't sure whether he will play in the Minor Leagues before the eligibility date. Manuel wants him to play some games. The timing hasn't been discussed.

"The plan is that I come back at full strength," Church said, "and not play my way back into shape up here."

Pagan may get his opportunities to play before Church is ready. The club expects him be ready by Thursday, but Manuel wants to make sure Pagan can swing right-handed. His swing against left-handed pitching was the issue after he bruised his left shoulder in May.