Morning Papers

Floyd OK to play despite kidney March 10 New York Daily News: "Cliff Floyd didn't even own a learner's permit 20 years ago when he drove his ailing father to a doctor to address kidney failure that ultimately required a transplant. So when the left fielder's spring-training physical showed Floyd had the precursors to similar trouble, the Met became alarmed." Pain Forecast March 10 New York Post (registration required): "So far in camp, the Mets have had health issues involving an ace (Pedro Martinez), an All-Star first baseman (Carlos Delgado), a starting catcher (Paul Lo Duca), a new outfielder (Xavier Nady), an effective reliever (Juan Padilla) and now a slugging left fielder (Cliff Floyd)." Mets' Beltran feeling patriotic March 10 Miami Herald (registration required): "New York Mets outfielder Carlos Beltran hasn't played regularly in the Puerto Rican winter league since 2001, the year before he signed his first million-dollar contract. So the World Classic has given him a rare chance to play in front of family and friends in his homeland." Bannister's Turning Some Heads March 10 New York Post (registration required): "So far in camp, the Mets' best pitcher has been Brian Bannister." Mets' day in camp March 10 Newark Star-Ledger (registration required): "With the bases loaded with Astros and one out in the bottom of the ninth, a chant of 'Let's Go Mets' began to rumble through the stands. It ended quickly when Hector Gimenez singled to send the Astros home as 3-2 winners."