Stokes can thank Redding

It appears that Brian Stokes can thank Tim Redding's ailing right shoulder for his reprieve in NY. Redding was slated to become either the fifth starter or the long man but will start the year on the DL due to a shoulder injury. It sounds like the Mets were on the verge of sending Stokes to Detroit for utility player Ryan Raburn but backed out of the deal when they decided to use Stokes as the long man. In his short major league career Stokes has been a starter, late innings reliever and a long man. The Mets used him several times last year to pitch more then two innings, spot start and close games. It appears they are stretching him out for his role as the long man as he threw 2.2 innings in yesterday's game.....But with Stokes pitching well this spring (he threw 2" innings of scoreless relief here yesterday against the Orioles), the Mets broke off talks because they want the righty to fill a long-relief role. source NY Post