Mets @ Nationals - Game Two

Again, Gary Sheffield will not start tonight, missing his fourth-straight game with a cramp in his hamstring.

Instead, Fernando Tatis will start in left field and hit fifth.

Angel Pagan will bat leadoff, followed in order by Luis Castillo, David Wright, Jeff Francoeur in right, Tatis, Daniel Muprhy at first base, Omir Santos behind the plate and Alex Cora at shortstop.

Oliver Perez (2–2, 7.99 ERA) will start tonight for the Mets. He allowed seven runs and nine hits in just 4.1 innings against the Nationals in Citi Field during late April. He is 1–0 with a 4.09 ERA in his last two starts, against the Braves and Dodgers.

Update, 4:50 pm:

David Lennon of Newsday said on Twitter that Sheffield could end up on the disabled list if he does not improve by Friday.

…really… wow… i mean, you don’t say… i’m shocked…

Meanwhile, also on Twitter, WFAN reports Jose Reyes ran ‘under control,’ while John Maine pitched in a simulated game today.

…from what i can gather, reyes only ran down to first base, and has yet to go 100 percent around all four bases… best case scenario, though, he’s still two to three weeks away from a possible return…

For other pre-game notes, follow Lennon on Twitter, click here.

To follow the Mets crew from WFAN, click here.