Franco's Exit Spells More Time for Castro, Alomar

While most assumed that the promotion of Lastings Milledge would coincide with Sandy Alomar Jr.'s return to AAA New Orleans, the organization surprisingly has designated Julio Franco for assignment instead. According to MLB.com's Marty Noble, by retaining Alomar, the Mets will be able to find more pinch-hitting at-bats for Ramon Castro, whose status as the team's lone backup catcher restricted his availability as a pinch-hitter. Alomar, meanwhile, will be looked upon to replace the veteran leadership of the departing Franco. According to Noble, Franco is happy about the move.