by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (5/21/2013) According to team sources, the Mets have discussed optioning Jordany Valdespin to Triple-A Las Vegas, reports the New York Daily News. The paper suggests while Valdespin might be the most talented outfielder on the roster, he is unprofessional, immature and distracting.
Jordany Valdespin gets a start
by Chris Cwik | CBSSports.com (5/16/2013) Mets outfielder Jordany Valdespin is in the team's starting lineup Thursday against the Cardinals.
Valdespin will play right field and hit leadoff. He will face Cardinals' ace Adam Wainwright. It's Valdespin's first start since May 8. He's hitting .235/.297/.426 in 68 at-bats.
Hawkins was asked about the controversy surrounding Valdespin's recent hit by pitch against the Pirates. Valdespin hit a home run with the team down by six runs and celebrated a little too much. The following day, manager Terry Collins pinch hit Valdespin expecting him to be hit by a pitch.
Hawkins couldn't defend his teammate, saying "he showed absolutely no respect. If you're going to pimp it, you're going to suffer the consequences." Hawkins added, "I have no problem defending my teammates, but some things, you just can't defend against."
Valdespin is hitting .235/.297/.426 in 68 at-bats.
Manager defends Jordany Valdespin
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (5/15/2013) Mets manager Terry Collins defended his actions Tuesday about how he handled Jordany Valdespin getting hit by a pitch Saturday against the Pirates, which came a day after Valdespin flipped his bat in celebration after hitting a home run.
"I don’t answer to fans," Collins said, per the New York Post. "They don’t play this game. They have no idea what goes on. They have no idea what goes on in there, they have absolutely no idea what it means to be a professional teammate at this level. I’ve been doing it a lot longer than a lot of people. He’s fine. He handled it great."
Collins also denied a report indicating Valdespin tried to avoid pinch-hitting Saturday because he knew he would get hit or Valdespin not wanting to bat later in the game after getting hit.
"He didn’t want to hit the second time on Saturday, after he got hit," Collins said. "(His forearm) did swell up. That’s when you walk in that batter’s box and say, 'OK let’s go.' If they threw at him again, we would have answered. If they threw at him we would have answered, there would have been a definitive answer."
Jordany Valdespin could mix in at second
by Bill Passonno | CBSSports.com (5/13/2013) Mets manager Terry Collins said Monday that outfielder Jordany Valdespincould earn some playing time at second base if Daniel Murphy continues to struggle, ESPN.com reports. Valdespin has been used primarily in center field this season, but has also made three appearances at second base.
Pirates retaliate a day after Jordany Valdespin's bat flip
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com (5/11/2013) Mets outfielder/infielder Jordany Valdespin, who flipped his bat after his home run Friday night, was hit by a pinch during his lone pinch-hit appearance in Saturday's 11-2 defeat to the Pirates.
Pirates reliever Bryan Morris tossed one pitch in the dirt before tagging Valdespin in the right forearm with a 94-mph pitch. Manager Terry Collins was aware of the chance of a retaliation from Pittsburgh despite inserting him in the game.
"He plays with a little excitement and a little flair, and once in a while somebody's going to be a little disturbed by it," Collins said. "If nothing else, he grew by it. And that's the most beneficial thing that could have happened."
Valdespin is hitting 242/.286/.439 with three home runs and 11 RBI in 66 at-bats.
Jordany Valdespin clubs third home run
by R.J. White | CBSSports.com (5/10/2013) Mets outfielder/infielder Jordany Valdespin didn't start Friday's game against the Pirates, but he contributed a two-run home run in the ninth inning of his team's 7-3 loss. It was the third home run of the season for Valdespin, who has hit .242/.286/.439 in 70 plate appearances this year.
Immaturity hurting Jordany Valdespin?
by Bill Passonno | CBSSports.com (5/6/2013) More than a month into the season, there could be an underlying reason why Mets outfielder Jordany Valdespin is not in the everyday lineup. According to the New York Daily News, team officials have grown weary of Valdespin's absent-mindedness with the latest instance reportedly coming Friday when the 25-year-old did not show up for an early batting practice session.
"It's no secret Jordany has had a slightly different approach to some things, there is a certain level of tolerance that we have," Mets general manager Sandy Alderson said Sunday. "I hope he doesn’t exceed that level. I am hoping Jordany will continue to mature. He has, I think, made progress. Hope he continues to do so on that front."
Valdespin has primarily been used in a center-field platoon, collecting at-bats against right-handed pitchers and posting a .260 batting average with both of his homers this season. But he has started just four times in the past 11 games as his overall average has dipped to .246.
Jordany Valdespin hits second home run
by Chris Cwik | CBSSports.com (5/1/2013) Mets outfielder Jordany Valdespin hit a pinch-hit home run Wednesday.
Valdespin didn't start the game, but pinch-hit for Juan Lagares in the sixth inning. The home run drove in three. Valdespin finished the day 1 for 2.
Jordany Valdespin blasts walk-off grand slam
by R.J. White | CBSSports.com (4/24/2013) Mets centerfielder Jordany Valdespin served as the hero Wednesday night, hitting a walk-off grand slam in the bottom of the 10th inning to give the Mets a 7-3 win over the Dodgers. Valdespin came into the game as a pinch hitter in the eighth inning before delivering the game-winning shot two innings later.
Valdespin's first home run pushed his average to .286 and tripled his RBI total, giving him six runs driven in this year.
Jordany Valdespin might get starts at second base
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (4/23/2013) Mets manager Terry Collins said the promotion of outfielder Juan Lagares will allow him to have some versatility with his lineup, which includes playing Jordany Valdespin at second base to spell starter Daniel Murphy.
Valdespin has made seven starts -- all in the outfield. Valdespin is batting .282 (11 for 39) with a double, triple, two RBI and three stolen bases in 15 games.
Jordany Valdespin solidifies role as leadoff hitter
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (4/11/2013)Jordany Valdespin's 3-for-5 performance out of the leadoff spot Wednesday at Philadelphia assured he will be atop the Mets' lineup when he starts, according to the New York Post.
"When Jordany plays he's going to lead off," manager Terry Collins said. "Because he is a different kind of player, maybe he really ignites you early by hitting a double or hitting one over the fence in the first inning. He’s got that capability, and he’s got capability if he gets on of stealing second and creating some runs."
Jordany Valdespin gets three hits out of leadoff spot
by R.J. White | CBSSports.com (4/10/2013) The Mets went with their third different leadoff hitter in three games in Wednesday's series finale against the Phillies, and center fielder Jordany Valdespin rewarded the lineup decision with a 3-for-5 game to boost his season average to .400. Valdespin was also caught stealing once in the game.
Jordany Valdespin hitting leadoff
by Chris Cwik | CBSSports.com (4/5/2013)Jordany Valdespin will leadoff and play centerfield for the Mets Friday.
Valdespin has not started a game this season, but has been used off the bench twice. He will start in place of Collin Cowgill.
Jordany Valdespin to start vs. Marlins
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (4/4/2013) Mets manager Terry Collins said Thursday utility player Jordany Valdespin will receive a start this weekend against the Marlins. Collins just hasn't figured out at what position Valdespin will start.
Valdespin was one of the Mets' best hitters this spring, batting .313 (21 for 67) with four homers and nine RBI in 22 games.
Jordany Valdespin could be Mets' leadoff hitter
by Chris Cwik | CBSSports.com (3/21/2013) Mets infielder Jordany Valdespin may open the season as the team’s leadoff hitter, manager Terry Collins said to WFAN.
Collins likes what Valdespin offers, saying "[Valdespin] has readlly worked at pitch selection. He’s got a nice idea at the plate, and makes pitchers work."
Valdespin has performed well this spring, hitting .341 with four home runs in 14 games.
Last year, he hit .241/.286/.424 in 206 plate appearances with the Mets.
Mets infield remains in flux
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (3/20/2013) Mets manager Terry Collins didn't have an update Wednesday on the status of third baseman David Wright, who is battling an intercostal strain, but said he was more confident about Wright being ready for opening day than Daniel Murphy, who is dealing with the same injury, The Star-Ledger reported.
Collins added if Wright is ready and Murphy is not, then he's leaning toward playing Justin Turner over Jordany Valdespin at second base.
Jordany Valdespin earns spot in lineup
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (3/20/2013) Mets manager Terry Collins said during a radio interview Wednesday on WFAN that Jordany Valdespin has earned a spot in the lineup, but he isn't sure at what position. Valdespin might be needed at second base to begin the season if Daniel Murphy (rib) isn't healthy.
Valdespin has been enjoying a nice spring campaign, batting .341 (14 for 41) with four homers and eight RBI in 14 spring games.
Mets map out backup plan for infield
by Bill Passonno | CBSSports.com (3/17/2013) With two key regulars of the Mets' infield -- third baseman David Wright and second baseman Daniel Murphy -- nursing injuries, manager Terry Collins devised a contingency plan Sunday in case the two are unavailable for opening day.
Justin Turner, who has the ability to play several positions in the infield, would assume Wright's spot at third base, while Jordany Valdespin could take over second base, which would place a short-term hold on his development as an outfielder.
After cracking the majors for the first time last season, Valdespin has improved immensely on offense this spring. He slugged his fourth homer in Grapefruit League play Sunday against Atlanta and is now carrying a .378 batting average through 13 games.
Mets concerned with Daniel Murphy
by Bill Passonno | CBSSports.com (3/17/2013) For the first time since second baseman Daniel Murphy went down with a rib injury last month, the Mets expressed some concern that he might not be ready for the start of the regular season. Manager Terry Collins said Sunday that Murphy will stay sidelined until at least Wednesday while he recovers from a strained intercostal muscle.
The 27-year-old has yet to play in a Grapefruit League game with New York after originally suffering the injury Feb. 18. If Murphy -- and David Wright -- are unavailable for opening day, Jordany Valdespin is expected to patrol second base for the Mets while Justin Turner takes third.
Valdespin parks another HR
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (3/11/2013) It was a day of highs and lows for Mets utility player Jordany Valdespin. He led off Monday's spring game against the Tigers with a solo homer off Tigers ace Justin Verlander. Unfortunately, he had to leave the game in the fifth inning after he was hit by a 94 mph fastball from Verlander in the groin area. “I’m good,” Valdespin said, per ESPN. “I’m good. Everything is fine. The doctor said nothing bad. Everything is good. Everything is working normally. Everything is right.” Valdespin finished 1 for 2 and is batting .370 (10 for 27) through 10 spring games. He also has three homers and six RBI.
Valdespin to be used as outfielder?
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com (3/8/2013) The New York Daily News reports that Jordany Valdespin may earn a role with the team as an outfielder. Valdespin, who earned the start at left field Friday against the Tigers, belted his second home run of the spring. He finished 1 for 4 with an RBI in a 3-2 defeat in Grapefruti League play. “He’s played very well,” Collins said. “We’ve asked him to play all over the field. He likes to play, loves to be on the stage, plays with some flare. There is nothing wrong with that. He plays with some energy and we need that.”
Valdespin takes spin as infielder
by Bill Passonno | CBSSports.com (2/16/2013)Jordany Valdespin has served primarily as an outfielder during his brief tenure with the Mets, but will receive some playing time during the spring as an infielder. Valdespin's natural position is second base. "He played a lot of outfield in winter ball. This spring, we need to put him back in the infield a little bit," New York manager Terry Collins told MLB.com on Saturday. "We know if need be, we can play him in the outfield. We need to take a look at him in the infield right now."
