Duaner Sanchez on the Comeback Trail

Since being sidelined from July 2006, Duaner Sanchez is back in action.

The 29-year-old reliever, who was the primary setup man for closer Billy Wagner, agreed Monday to an $850,000, one-year contract with the New York Mets. Not quite a cool mill, but who's counting.

After undergoing surgery to repair a separated shoulder from the July '06 taxi accident, he was disciplined for continuously being late to 2007 Spring Training. Then, during his first bullpen session in eight months, he felt a "pop" after throwing just 11 pitches. He had surgery four days later to repair a broken bone.

Sanchez is a career 13-9 with a 3.81 ERA over three big league seasons with the Los Angeles Angels, Dodgers and Mets.

The Mets also agreed to minor league contracts with righties Juan Padilla, Joselo Diaz and Andy Cavazos, lefty Ryan Cullen, infielders Anderson Machado and Fernando Tatis, and backstops Robinson Cancel and Salomon Manriquez.

[MLB]

Duaner Sanchez Out Until August

New York Mets reliever Duaner Sanchez has suffered a broken bone in his pitching shoulder and will be out until at least August.

Sanchez hasn't pitched since July, after having surgery on the same shoulder he hurt in a taxi accident. Before that injury, he was enjoying a productive 2006 season as setup man for Billy Wagner.

The right-hander felt a pop in his throwing shoulder Thursday, cutting short his first bullpen session in eight months after just 11 pitches. Scar tissue had broken loose and he was treated with an ice pack

Sanchez then flew to New York for a second opinion and was diagnosed with a hairline fracture. The doctors recommended surgery which would involve securing the bone with a small screw, but Sanchez is still weighing his options.

The 27-year-old could rehab within six to eight weeks after surgery and another six to eight weeks after that, he could begin competitive throwing. Sanchez went 5-1 with a 2.60 ERA last season, helping the Mets build a big lead on the way to their first NL East title since 1988.

[Newsday]