El Duque could miss game 1 start

[Balta1701]

It just keeps getting better and better for the Mets.

 

Already missing Pedro Martinez, the New York Mets suddenly might have to replace pitcher Orlando Hernandez in Game 1 of the playoffs because of a calf injury, too.

 

El Duque felt discomfort in his right calf while he was jogging in the outfield Tuesday as the NL East champions tuned up for their division series against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

 

The 40-year-old right-hander, who had been scheduled to start New York's postseason opener, was pulled off the field and was headed for an MRI exam.

 

"Obviously, we're up in the air on who our starter is right now," Mets manager Willie Randolph said. "We have some options, but we're going to wait and see how he feels."

 

Those options are limited, however. Martinez, a three-time Cy Young Award winner, is out until next summer because of calf and shoulder injuries.

 

Tom Glavine, slated to start Game 2, pitched Saturday in Washington. So if the Mets want to bump him up, he would be working on only three days' rest.

 

Randolph said he hadn't yet spoken to the 40-year-old lefty about that possibility.

 

Steve Trachsel, who went 15-8 with a 4.97 ERA this year, skipped his scheduled outing last weekend to attend to a family matter on the West Coast. He was due back in New York on Tuesday evening, but Randolph said the right-hander probably wasn't an option to pitch Game 1 on Wednesday afternoon.

 

That leaves rookie right-hander John Maine as perhaps the best option. Maine was 6-5 with a 3.60 ERA in 16 games this season, including 15 starts.