Church Friday: Castillo & Nixon still waiting.....

It appears Luis Castillo won't be returning to the club today but instead will go to Port St. Lucie to work on his swing. This could get ugly as Castillo is quoted as saying he's feeling good and expecting a call from Omar or Tony ( Bernazard), for a player to have his rehab extended it has to be mutual and put in writing to the league office. While the organization is happy with the duo of Easley/A. Reyes they have to be very careful with team chemistry, Santana is very close to Castillo which may have contributed to the four year deal. So far Castillo's treatment can be justified by the injury but if Luis becomes disgruntled the last thing we need is an up set Ace. Remember Santana openly discussed his time being up in Minnesota after Castillo was traded......

Luis Castillo completed his rehab stint in Binghamton, going 1-for-4. After that, Minaya said, if Castillo says he feels good he will be activated. If not, he can go to Florida for simulated games. source NY Post

Ryan Church could return as soon as Friday, he has been rehabbing in Binghamton where he's been symptom free. While Manuel said that Church would get plenty of rest, if he's hitting the way he was early in the season I doubt if that will happen.

"I'm champing at the bit," he said after going 0-for-4 in a rehab game with Double-A Binghamton Wednesday night following a flight from Triple-A New Orleans. "Considering the fact I was going on three hours' sleep, I felt pretty good." source Daily News

Trot Nixon has stayed in New Orleans and the good soldier that he is will wait until roster expansion to return. Nixon will be on the DL on Aug. 31 making him eligible for the post season roster if he proves to be the veteran leader I believe he is..

"It's my goal to get back and help the team make a run at the playoffs," Nixon said. "I think everyone here wants to do that, especially when your team is in that playoff hunt. It's harder to think like that when your club is out of the playoffs; that's when guys have trouble concentrating." source NOLA.com