Daniel Murphy could start the year on DL

Photo taken by Michael Baron New York Mets second baseman, Daniel Murphy, who has been sidelined since February 18th with a strained intercostal muslce, is in serious jeopardy of starting the season on the disabled list. On Wednesday afternoon, Mets manager Terry Collins told reporters Murphy is more likely to start the year on the disabled list over David Wright and according to Adam Rubin, said the following: “I don’t know about Murph, but after my conversation with David, I’m certainly counting on having David for the season. Dan, I’m not sure yet. … They’re both different injuries. They may be similar in where they are, in location, but one is not as severe as the other.” According to Rubin, Collins indicated Jordany Valdespin would start at second base in the even both players started the year on the DL. However, should there be only one infielder vacancy, Justin Turner would man second base: “Right now, the way [Valdespin] has played down here, you have to figure out how you can get his bat in the lineup. If David’s ready and Turner’s playing second, you’ve got to figure out where else you can play him.” I can’t see how Daniel will be able to get enough at-bats in order to keep himself off the DL to open the season at this point in the spring.  I would think he would have to start playing in games no later then Monday.