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…the word from shea is that Orlando Hernandez will ditch the protective boot on his right foot today or tomorrow, after which they’ll aim to test him out from a mound later this week…
…from what i can gather, if el duque does not make a start this week, and i just can’t see how he will, he will not be in the team’s rotation through the NLDS…the question at that point will be: will he be healthy and ready enough to help out from the bullpen…
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I think the pen is the best bet for both El Duque and the team, if the Mets are playing in the NLDS. Short series … Glav, Pedro and Ollie … not necessarily in that order. Put El Duque into that struggling pen and say a prayer.
I agree….although, it’s kind of annoying that this guy keeps getting hurt around the time of year we supposedly got him for…
Seriously … its sadly comical.
at least we know before the NLDS this time… last time we were down a man, right?
actually with Cliff Floyd they were down two men…
I dont recall if Duque was on the roster or not, but they had a chance to replace him as the rosters arent submitted until the day of the first game.
If I remember correctly, El Duque got hurt the day of his start while jogging in the OF.
…I could be wrong though.
Cliff Floyd was a bad logistical move.
sucks though, just out luck that our best pitcher won’t be with us when we need him the most.
our luck. sorry
The last game of the season would be when to test him out.
Hopefully they clinch before that game so Glavine can rest up for the postseason.
Even if he can go a few inning in that game, I dont see how he can be a starter in the postseason. Have to go with Perez and Maine or Pelfrey, and have Duque in long relief.
The couple of recent good performances by Mota, Sele, and Schoe probably excludes any of the outsiders from getting a shot at a pen spot in the postseason.
I would like to see Maine used for 1 inning of relief of Humber. Its the middle day of Maine’s 5 days between starts and would give a nice insight into how he might react to that situation in the postseason. I like him as a relief option even if he is one of the four starters in the NLDS.
I was also thinking that the last game might be the time when it is possible for him to be tested. If he looks good for a couple of innings, I think serious consideration would have to be given to letting him pitch in late inning relief.
Considering the current state of the bullpen, it may even be more important to have an effective El Duque pitch in relief, rather than as a starter.
I am not worried about el duque pitching cold…
he has done that a few times since joining the mets. takes a couple starts off then jumps right back in the fire.
If my memory serves me (sometimes it doesnt) he always pitches great after his short rests. Him taking a couple starts off may not be the worst thing in the world come playoffs.
While Duque might not like being bumped, I like him in the pen too. All the starters will be on short leashes – meaning Sosa, Smith & Mota will probably warm up early every night (and Feliciano, Heilman & Wagner will warm up late every night).
But where I really like Duque is to come in for a pressure situation – the 8th inning or later, for 2 innings if needed. Imagine a hitter having to face Glavine twice, then Smith’s sidearm, then Duque, then Wagner? How confusing…
El Duque was brought onto this team for one reason — to pitch in the playoffs. Unless this injury is worse than it sounds, they will find a way to work him in next week, regardless of how much work he got in prior.
With that said, it’s completely reasonable to expect Glavine, Pedro and Perez in games 1-3. After that, god willing or god forbid, we may not even need Duque.
lets get there first, the best thing to solve all of this would be to sweep the nats, if we do that we pretty much are guaranteed to make the playoffs, then we would have 4 games to set up the rotation the way we want it for the LDS.
I know it is a jinx to think about it, especially with the roller coaster this team has us on and injuries always screw the best plans up, but…
The post-season roster has some intriguing questions. How many pitchers do we take. A lot depends on El Duque if he can make an appearance or two before end of season, than I see him in the pen. Do you keep an extra reliever just in case Duque gets hurt again. I hope Duque proves himself capable. If so, I go with.
Pitchers
Pedro
Glavine
Perez
Maine
Wagner
Heilman
Feliciano
Schoenweis
Sosa
Duque
Mota or Sele or both
Position Players
LoDuca
Delgado
Castillo
Reyes
Wright
Alou
Beltran
Green
Castro
Gotay
Anderson
Chavez
Milledge
Conine (if they take 11 pitchers not 12)
I feel like Dl Duque will have to prove his health to make the roster. They lack righties off the bench if they go against a lefty starter, Milledge starts, and Gotay is far more effective as a lefty hitter. So I feel they would want Conine.
Of course someone will get hurt to mess this all up.
I like the 11 pitchers better. Gomez is also an intriquing 14th man, since he can pinch run and serve as a defensive replacement. Conine will only PH. So you have to decide what you need more?
Mota is going to be in the pen. Take that one to the bank. Other than that, I expect you are spot on, if they think Duque can pitch.
big danger is he can’t go, then they have to decide if they burn him for the 2nd round.
But, short series, lots of days off, they probably only really need 10 men, not 11, so it isn’t too much of a risk.
I can’t see Sele in the pen, but with Omar in charge, who knows? So the only change to your list would be Pelfrey instead of Duque if he can’t pitch.
Starting on Sunday, assuming the game means nothing, is the best idea. No way you carry him if he hasn’t been proven in a game situation.
Then, you either have him for the pen, or on tap for game 3ish. That would be Friday, right?
Game 3 is Saturday.
I feel like they will definitely give him a start or a long relief appearance over the weekend, if he can. If he does well and recovers well by Wed game 1, he is on. His upside is too high to leave him off entirely. I agree that mota is in. Again his upside is higher than Sele’s.
I think Conie will make it. They will not need defensive replacements, Chavez is there as is Milledge and Anderson can play there and i hope Willie is not subbing Moises bat out of the lineup with this crappy pen, no lead is safe.