Where is K. Matsui?

Kaz Matsui is day-to day with a bone bruise in his leg. [Link - MLB.com]

There is a conspiracy theory out there that says the Mets are giving in to the pressure that Reyes is the better shortstop and should be playing there every day. Is Matsui really hurt or benched while they decide what to do? The media is heard saying that Matsui is an awful shortstop. They even critize the scouts who claimed that he was an excellent fielder.

Is there a written or verbal agreement that says he must play SS? They like his hitting, but the fielding, ...

- There is a conspiracy theory out there that says the Mets are giving in to the pressure that Reyes is the better shortstop and should be playing there every day. Is Matsui really hurt or benched while they decide what to do? The media is heard saying that Matsui is an awful shortstop.

There is no conspiracy theory at all. Like it said, Matsui has a bone bruise in his leg. Matsui isn't playing because of that reason alone. Not because of a conspiracy theory.

The media around New York is complaining and trying to find a scapegoat for the failures of the Mets. Compare Matsui to Ordonez or Sanchez and then ask the question, who would you want at shortstop? Matsui has been one of the Mets' most constant players this year.

The conspiracy continued last night. Matsui was ordered to wear goggles, but he continued to make a game costing error (it should have been two errors on one play). Did not see any signs of a leg problem.

- The conspiracy continued last night. Matsui was ordered to wear goggles, but he continued to make a game costing error (it should have been two errors on one play). Did not see any signs of a leg problem.

Matsui was ordered to wear goggles in an attempt to help his fielding. No matter how much you believe there is a conspiracy theory, there isn't one. Also, the point still remains, Matsui was out with a leg problem.

Reyes is the better athlete of the two, I would play him at shortstop and Kaz at second base.

Yeah, he has a bruised shin.

If they keep on switching Reyes to shortstop, Matsui will have a bruised ego.

He left yesterday's game with back spasms. His shin still hurts. The Mets forced him to wear prescription eye goggles in the game. He resisted for 2 months. Says he saw the first bounce better. Manager Howe seems to be losing his patience with poor Matsui-san. I feel for him. I think he will gut it out and be fine. Gambatte!

Just like the last few years, the Mets are falling apart, and Kaz is just part of it. Bad shin, bad eyes, and now back spasms. Manager Howe is under pressure, Piazza is in the worst slump of his career. They traded their best minor league prospects for average MLB starting pitchers. And worst of all, they are 11 games behind. And the other team in New York is having another good year and filling the stadium.

Reliable source (veteran sports journalist at a major Japanese network TV) says that Kazuo has "night blindness," which means that a prescription lens does not help. According to him, this is common knowledge amongst NPB writers, but Kazuo wanted this information to be kept confidential. That means for 10+ years, he has been playing with this condition in Japan. Amazing!

Never heard of this before. Another item to add to the Kaz Matsui X-files.

Yes, it is amazing since nothing about night-blindness comes out from googling in Japanese or English. According to this TV play-by-play announcer who has a tight relationship with both K. and H. Matsui, K. Matsui is a great guy and nobody will cross him. He also told me that the reason why he chews gum during the game is because he has a light tourette's syndrome.

I think it is totally unfair to spread false rumors using an anonymous name. What other thing does he have? Perasites like Giambi and Brown?

Actually, I have heard this story before, too. These rumors didn't really affect him up to now because he was doing so well in Japan. He is a great athlete who can overcome these conditions. Chris Jackson of NBA also had Tourets and did very well in his career.

I'm a big Met fan, and I'm just curious if KazMat was really as good defensively in Japan as they say he was. The NY brass is said to be really unhappy with the scouts who said this.

- I'm a big Met fan, and I'm just curious if KazMat was really as good defensively in Japan as they say he was.

Well, Matsui was a good defensive shortsop in Japan as you can see. He had a .978 fielding percentage. I think the move from turf to grass is helping Matsui's problems, because if I'm right Seibu's stadium is turf. [Matsui's profile page]

- The NY brass is said to be really unhappy with the scouts who said this.

I haven't seen or heard any evidence that the Mets' front office has said this.

- I haven't seen or heard any evidence that the Mets' front office has said this.

I listen to WFAN 660, the Mets' radio network in New York, and Mike Francesa and the Mad Dog have been saying this for about a week now, but I don't have much past that. Although even if they aren't, they have every right to be with his 27 or so errors.

The Wilpons have no one to blame but themselves if they are unhappy with Kaz. Many scouts had negative comments. Howe knew better, he thought. The Wilpons wanted a way to tap into Japanese TV and merchandising revenue.

Kaz's defense is poor and will have to get better, even at second base, which is inevitable next year, assuming Reyes doesn't go gimp yet again. His bat is fine. Now he is on the DL until August 23rd.

He might be better off if he went back to Japan, if there was a way for him to save face. Many of the Mets' pitchers have lost confidence in his defense. He has dug himself a big hole. If he can turn it around next year on the Mets, he'll be a hero. If he can't, the honeymoon will surely be over and the Met fans will be merciless because he will be viewed as a fraud.

- The Wilpons wanted a way to tap into Japanese TV and merchandising revenue.

Of course the Mets did, with the Yankees across town, who have Hideki Matsui, of course they want to tap into Japan.

- Kaz's defense is poor and will have to get better, even at second base, which is inevitable next year

Yes, his defense does need work on, and will have to get better next year. Though I have no reason to believe they will move Matsui to second base after Mets' GM Jim Duquette has said "he is our shortstop" and that there are no plans to move him to second upon his return, or even take grounders at second.

- Many of the Mets' pitchers have lost confidence in his defense. He has dug himself a big hole.

I don't think the pitchers have lost confidence in Matsui. They're frustated, as the Mets have been all this year.

He is on the 15-day disabled list. He should be back in a week or so if he is well.