New York Mets News For Wednesday 3/14/07

[GaryMrMets]

http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/mets/2007/03/audio_willie_on_chan_ho_parks.php

Audio: Willie on Park's Progress

Willie Randolph gave a lukewarm review of Chan Ho Park's outing yesterday in Viera, Fla., though the manager suggested it was too early to draw conclusions with this being only Park's second Grapefruit League game. The manager also said he was unconcerned with the team's 4-9-1 record, though he doesn't like any sloppy play.

Willie Randolph Interview 3.12.07 [mp3]

http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/mets/2007/03/photo_pudge_chews_the_fat_with.php

Photo: Pudge Chews the Fat with Omar

Who's that chatting with Omar Minaya in Lakeland? Yes, it's Pudge Rodriguez, as the Mets took batting practice at Joker Marchant Stadium.

Don't read too much into the chat. The Tigers will probably pick up Rodriguez's $13 million option for 2008. There's a $3 million buyout.

http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/mets/docs/images/pudgepic.jpg
Omar Minaya Pudge Rodriguez

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/mets/2007/03/14/2007-03-14_humber_waits_for_his_pitch.html

Humber waits for his pitch
Starting in minors OK

By ADAM RUBIN
DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER
Wednesday, March 14th 2007, 4:00 AM

WINTER HAVEN, Fla. - Tom Glavine approached Philip Humber in the outfield three days ago, sensing the 24-year-old pitcher was placing too much pressure on himself every time he took the mound.

"Honestly, what are your chances of making the team out of the spring?" Glavine asked the righthander.

http://www.nydailynews.com/img/2007/03/14/amd_humber.jpg
Mets' pitcher Phil Humber

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/mets/2007/03/14/2007-03-14_to_valentin_travel_is_pain_in_the_neck-2.html

To Valentin, travel is pain in the neck
Wednesday, March 14th 2007, 4:00 AM

WINTER HAVEN, Fla. - Jose Valentin's neck stiffened during a two-hour bus ride here and the second baseman was scratched from yesterday's 6-5 win against the Indians.

"Hopefully it's not more than two days. We'll see. It still feels real heavy," Valentin said after receiving a massage. "It goes all the way around the neck, right on top of the shoulder. It bothers me more looking to my left side than my right side."

http://www.nydailynews.com/img/2007/03/14/amd_valentin.jpg
Assistant trainer Mike Herbst rubs Jose Valentin's neck area before second baseman sits.

[GaryMrMets]

http://www.nypost.com/seven/03142007/sports/mets/pedro_lengthens_tossing_distance_mets_mark_hale.ht m

PEDRO LENGTHENS TOSSING DISTANCE
By MARK HALE

March 14, 2007 -- PORT ST. LUCIE - Pedro Martinez has moved up the distance while playing catch, bumping it from 45 feet last week to 60 feet now.

The rehabbing Martinez played catch with trainer Chris Correnti from that distance yesterday, and afterward he said he felt, "Good. Really good."

http://www.nypost.com/seven/03142007/sports/mets/duque_of_hurl_mets_mark_hale.htm

DUQUE OF HURL
HERNANDEZ 'NICE' IN SIMULATED GAME
By MARK HALE

March 14, 2007 -- PORT ST. LUCIE - Minor leaguer Donald Green hit a grounder to short off Orlando Hernandez yesterday, and Rick Peterson approved.

"Nice Duque!" the Mets pitching coach said.

Peterson was thrilled with El Duque's outing at Tradition Field, where the Mets' No. 2 starter had another effort on the mound following his neck arthritis diagnosis. Yesterday Hernandez pitched the equivalent of four innings, throwing 60 pitches, in a simulated game against four Mets minor leaguers, albeit not top prospects.

http://www.nypost.com/seven/03142007/photos/mets.jpg
MAKING PROGRESS: Orlando "El Duque" Hernandez, working out Feb. 15 at Mets camp, threw 60 pitches yesterday in a simulated game. Hernandez has been diagnosed with neck arthritis.

[GaryMrMets]

New York Mets Postgame Alert March 14, 2007

N.Y. Mets 0, Detroit 2 at Joker Marchant Stadium
N.Y. Mets Record: (5-10)
Detroit Record: (9-6)

Winning pitcher - Kenny Rogers (1-0)
Losing pitcher - John Maine (0-1)
SV - Todd Jones (1)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
N.Y. Mets 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 1
Detroit 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 X 2 9 0

NYM HR - None
DET HR - C. Granderson (1) M. Thames (2)

Next N.Y. Mets Game: March 15, 2007 07:10 PM ET vs. Boston Red Sox

Upcoming N.Y. Mets Home Games:
vs. Boston Red Sox, March 15, 2007 07:10 PM ET Purchase Tickets
vs. Washington Nationals, March 17, 2007 01:10 PM ET Purchase Tickets
vs. Baltimore Orioles, March 20, 2007 07:10 PM ET Purchase Tickets