Hernandez expected to miss postseason for Mets; Maine to start Game 1
By MIKE FITZPATRICK, AP Baseball Writer
October 4, 2006
NEW YORK (AP) -- Orlando Hernandez is expected to miss the entire
postseason because of a calf injury, and Mets rookie John Maine will
start Game 1 of the playoffs Wednesday against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Hernandez has a torn muscle in his right calf and was left off New
York's first-round roster, leaving the NL East champions without two
of their top starters.

"All year long we've had guys who picked each other up," general
manager Omar Minaya said. "I'm confident somebody will pick up El Duque."
With the Mets already missing Pedro Martinez, Hernandez had been
slated to start the postseason opener. But El Duque got hurt Tuesday
while jogging in the outfield, leaving the Mets scrambling to
rearrange their rotation.
They turned to Maine, who went 6-5 with a 3.60 ERA in 16 games this
season, including 15 starts. The right-hander had not been expected to
pitch until later in the series at Los Angeles -- if at all.
Had Martinez not been sidelined for the entire postseason by calf and
shoulder injuries, Maine might have been left out of the playoff
rotation altogether.
Now, he will start Game 1 at home before a packed house of more than
50,000 fans. And he could wind up pitching twice in the series.
Maine lacks the October experience the Mets were counting on with
Hernandez, acquired from Arizona in May. El Duque is 9-3 with a 2.55
ERA in 19 career postseason games, including 14 starts, mostly with
the Yankees. He also owns four World Series rings, and his teams are
12-3 in postseason series.
An MRI on Tuesday revealed Hernandez sustained a Grade 2 tear in his calf.
"That takes time," Minaya said.
The Mets informed Maine on Tuesday night that there was a good chance
he would start Wednesday. After Minaya and manager Willie Randolph
discussed all their options, they decided on Maine late Tuesday night,
the GM said.
Hernandez was replaced on the first-round roster by erratic lefty
Oliver Perez, acquired at the trade deadline with reliever Roberto
Hernandez in the deal that sent right fielder Xavier Nady to Pittsburgh.
Left-handed reliever Royce Ring also made the team. He had been sent
to Florida as part of a taxi squad to stay ready.
The Mets kept 12 pitchers for the first round.
Backup outfielder Michael Tucker was included on the roster, giving
the Mets another left-handed bat on the bench. Rookie outfielder
Lastings Milledge and outfielder Ricky Ledee were left off. Milledge
also was part of the taxi squad in Florida.
New York kept two catchers instead of three: starter Paul Lo Duca and
backup Ramon Castro. Mike DiFelice was left off.