Roster Move: Martinez Placed on 15-Day DL

Pedro Martinez's hamstring injury will keep him out for four to six weeks, and the Mets responded by recalling Nelson Figueroa to the big club. The move means the Mets have eight relievers in the bullpen until April 12 - the first time they'll need to use a "fifth" starter.

This move is, to put it mildly, asinine. Willie has only five bench players at his disposal, but now he has eight relievers to under-utilize for the next 10 days. There's a crying need for a sixth infielder - I never thought I'd be pining for Fernando Tatis! - but that need is seemingly being ignored. I guess I should take comfort in the idea that Pedro's spot in the rotation is being skipped this time around, because at least someone recognizes that off-days can be used to your advantage when setting a pitching rotation. But as usual, I find myself questioning the logic of the decision-makers in charge of this team.

Let's take a look at the active roster now:

STARTING PITCHERS
Johan Santana
Oliver Perez
John Maine
Mike Pelfrey
Orlando "El Duque" Hernandez-DL
Pedro Martinez-DL

RELIEF PITCHERS
Billy Wagner (closer)
Aaron Heilman
Pedro Feliciano
Matt Wise
Scott Schoenweis
Jorge Sosa
Joe Smith
Nelson Figueroa

CATCHERS
Brian Schneider
Raul Casanova
Ramon Castro-DL

INFIELDERS
Carlos Delgado
Luis Castillo
David Wright
Jose Reyes
Damion Easley

OUTFIELDERS
Carlos Beltran
Ryan Church
Marlon Anderson
Endy Chavez
Angel Pagan
Brady Clark
Moises Alou-DL