Mets Roster Near Final

The Mets made four moves today which cuts their roster down to 26 players.  The team placed LHP Johan Santana and LF Jason Bay on the 15-day disabled list, both moves which have long been expected.  RHP Mike Pelfrey is expected to step up as the team's de facto ace in Santana's absence and RHP Chris Young will replace him in the rotation.  OF/2B Willie Harris will replace Bay in the starting lineup and LF Lucas Duda will replace him on the roster.  In addition, the Mets outrighted 1B/LF Nick Evans and SS/2B Luis Hernandez to Buffalo.  Evans had a terrific season last year in the Minor Leagues but had no place on the team after OF/2B Scott Hairston was given a guaranteed contract.  Hernandez was in the competition for the starting second base and utility player jobs, but lost out to 2B Brad Emaus and SS Chin-lung Hu.  Both have the option of refusing the assignments and becoming free agents.  The Mets are now one-man over the 25-man limit, and when C Ronny Paulino's suspension kicks in they should be down to 25.