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Note: Sim Game for El Duque Today
By Matthew Cerrone - Mar 18, 2008 8:08 am

Orlando Hernandez is scheduled to throw a simulated game in Port St. Lucie today, complete with batters, base runners and defense.

from what i understand, assuming all goes well following today’s game, the next step will be for el duque to pitch in an actual spring training game, during which he’ll most likely only pitch an inning or two…which is why most people continue to believe he’ll start the year on the disabled list, building up his strength just in time for mid April, when the Mets will first need a fifth starter…

…by the way, it would be only fitting that both el duque and Moises Alou will start the season on the disabled list…i mean, it’s almost too perfect, considering how much we all joke about how fragile they are…unreal

10 Responses to “Note: Sim Game for El Duque Today”

  1. stickguy says:

    This guy has been around so long that he probably doesn’t even need a real game. If he has the stuff working on the back field, just roll him out there!

    Assuming no setbacks, he should be on track for being ready for live action around mid-April, so start him on the DL and carry an extra bench player until they figure out who is healthy enough to play.

  2. Nate W. says:

    so what about Pelfrey? Is he active today?

    • Mister Koo says:

      I think he’s doing a sim game as well.

    • Nate W. says:

      David Lennon has this:
      The Mets announced this morning that Ramon Castro’s MRI revealed a strain of his right hamstring. The official prognosis is day-to-day (of course). But it is a good sign that Castro is behind the plate catching Mike Pelfrey for this morning’s simulated game.

      So it looks like he pitched a separate sim game, it is oppossing Duque… either way, both #5 starters are getting thier work in today.

  3. FireIsiah says:

    I am soooo tired of El Duque. I know how good he’s been for us in the middle of the season in both ‘06-’07, but he’s killed us with his injuries. I still think we’re the champs in ‘06 if he doesn’t get hurt right before Gm 1 of NLDS. But seriously, the guy’s 50, and trying out a new wind-up and we think he’s going to be good? I’m willing to go with Pelfrey as the 5 and live with his ups and downs. I’m sorry i’m just Duqued out right now.

    • Nate W. says:

      I fully expect that if this new windup doesnt work for Duque and he cant get it together in a ST or minor league by April 20th or so that he will be man enough to retire with dignity.

  4. Nate W. says:

    btw, to clear up the Oliver Perez gameday pitch count thing from yesterday.

    “• Oliver Perez, who still has two spring starts remaining, pronounced himself ready for the season after five dominating innings. Perez retired the first 11 batters he faced and required only 57 pitches while limiting the Nationals to two hits. Perez, who struck out five, didn’t surrender a walk. He’s issued only three bases on balls in 13 2/3 innings this spring.” – Adam Rubin

    So he was still effecient, just not THAT effecient.

    And I hope he threw more on the side, otherwise he is well behind Maine and Santana in that regard.

  5. Nate W. says:

    Thursday night’s matchup in St. Lucie is Johan Santana vs. ex-Met Steve Trachsel of Baltimore.

  6. Nate W. says:

    …figures I put the news in the post no one reads…

  7. Nate W. says:

    from Delcos:

    “Mike Pelfrey threw 90 pitches and Orlando Hernandez threw 80. Brian Schneider caught Hernandez and said they were working on spotting his fastball. Apparently, that’s why Hernandez wasn’t alarmed when a couple of minor leaguers tagged him deep.

    Both Hernandez and Willie Randolph said velocity is no big deal, which can only mean one thing – he has nothing on the ball.”

    ..80 pitches? who saw that coming?

    and it looks like Pelfrey is ready for the Zephers opener about two weeks early.