The Cyclones had plans to have their multi-million dollar infield be the core of their team, but the quartet has yet to play a game this year as a unit.
Third baseman Zach Lutz, the Mets’ fifth-round draft pick last year, broke a bone in his right foot and only played in one game in 2007.
This season, he’s killing the ball, batting .333 in 24 games and is tied with shortstop Reese Havens for the club lead in homers with three.
But Lutz is still recovering from the foot injury.
“The foot seems to have affected his right quadriceps and also his right lower back, and he is currently out of the line-up,” said manager Edgar Alfonzo.
The injuries seem to be going around the infield.
Because of a right elbow injury, Havens has not started in the field all season, although he has been used extensively as a DH.
As the Mets’ first-round pick this year, 22nd overall in the draft, big things are expected for the former university of South Carolina star who hit .359 with 18 homers this season in college.
Hitting .261 so far for the Clones, his 18 hits have included five doubles and a triple to go with those three round-trippers.
With his elbow improved, Havens was scheduled to play shortstop this week, but injured his groin on July 19 and is day-to-day.
At second base, Josh “Smooth as Silk” Satin had overcome a 0–for–15 start at the plate and his average is now up to .260.
The Mets’ sixth-round pick this year was a 2008 second team All-American pick by Rivals.com this year after batting .379 with 18 home runs at the University of California–Berkeley this season.
Then, against the Yankees on Monday night, while running out a misplayed ground ball, Satin lost sight of the first base bag for an instant and tripped, injuring his right knee. He later left the game and has to have the knee examined before he can play again.
At first base, Ike Davis signed late, not playing until the Cyclones’ 10th game. Right now (knock on wood), he’s the only healthy member of the starting infield unit. Davis is hitting .250, with seven doubles but has yet to hit a homer, although a couple of real blasts to right field fell victim to the ocean wind at Keyspan Park.
A major reason for the Cyclones’ slow, 16–19, last-place start, and a key factor in whether they can rally to make the playoffs, is the health of this talented infield. If the injured threesome heals quickly, the Cyclones still have a shot at the post-season.
