Conventional wisdom was the fifth starter job would go to Orlando Hernandez if he were healthy, but despite a strong outing in Friday’s exhibition against Baltimore and feeling good the next day, Hernandez said he wasn’t ready.
“I feel I can pitch in the major leagues, but I think it would be better if I had two or three more starts to get more comfortable with my feet,” Hernandez said. “I think this is what’s best for the team.”
GM Omar Minaya said there is no time table, but left little doubt a healthy Hernandez wouldn’t have to wait long.
Hernandez said he’s not feeling pain in his right foot with his new wind-up, but he’s not comfortable with it.
7 Comments
In the long run, this decision was the most logical for the team and for El Duque. However, it looked like he ditched his new delivery in his last start so I dont understand that part of his quote.
Was I seeing things??
I knew he would go back to his old delivery. He was throwing 80 miles an hour with it and didn’t have control. I wonder why
the mets and El Duke didn’t take action on his foot (surgery)in the off season.
Duque said the procedure he would need for his foot would take 2 years to fully recover from, hence the ‘rehabbing’ -he had a seperate surgury on a toe, but the bunion one would have ko’d him for a year or two
GD,
I guess it depends on the bunion because Blair Betts of the NY rangers just had surgery to remove a bunion and he is out only two to three weeks, interesting.
This procedure can take a long time to recover from, especially w/a guy w/80 yr bones.
I knew he would go to his old delivery because he used it for 100 years. How is he going to be effective and comfortable and deceptive with a windup he has used for a few days.
He will suck it up. Endure the pain and pitch until he can’t.
dave: sit down dude, I agree with you on this one 100%. Hope I didn’t give you a stroke.