Short Stops

THE INJURY BUG BITES AGAIN The sight of Jon Niese sprawled out by the pitchers mound was as disheartening as anything we have witnessed this season. But following the freak injury to Luis Castillo the night before and Sheffield removing himself a few minutes later, there is not much more to say (or do). Omar Minaya has made a few mistakes, especially lately, but no GM in the history of baseball could possibly mitigate all these sordid injuries. Jerry Manuel, for all his strategic shortcomings (and communications strengths), is not able to put on a real post-season run with so many disabled. Setting aside the mysterious problems with Oliver Perez and the loss of Billy Wagner last season, the injuries to John Maine followed by Fernando Nieve followed by Niese, all of whom were pitching in one rotation spot, is hard to fathom. The loss of Putz also put a serious damper on the bullpen plan. Right now, what is the point of rushing Beltran, Reyes, Delgado and Maine back to the lineup? ...