Paul Lo Duca suffered a bruised left kneecap last night, eventually leaving the game and putting his status in question for today’s contest.
X-rays were negative, but that doesn’t mean Lo Duca can play.
“I can’t really set up or throw off it,” he said.
Lo Duca got hit with a foul ball in the seventh inning, and after he batted in the eighth, Ramon Castro replaced him behind the plate in the ninth.
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Endy Chavez is headed back to Venezuela due to the death of his sister, Janeidy, who was 29. She died from what the Mets said was a long illness.
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As unlikely as it appears, if the Mets have a one-game playoff on Monday, there is some question regarding how they’ll handle their pitching.
Willie Randolph, however, wouldn’t discuss the situation.
“I pretty much stay current for the most part,” he said. “Got to get there first.”
Meanwhile, Mike Pelfrey – who would be lined up to start, according to the current rotation – said he had not heard anything about when he’s pitching again.
One issue is Orlando Hernandez, who pitched an inning in relief on Wednesday and 1 2/3 more last night. Hernandez, who has been battling a bunion, could potentially start on Monday.
Pedro Martinez might also be able to help. The right-hander said after tossing seven innings on Thursday against the Cardinals that he would be available Monday. Theoretically, he would be able to supply no more than two innings.
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Heading into last night, Jose Reyes was in a 3-for-22 slide in his last five games, and while two of the hits were homers, all of those hits/homers were on Tuesday. In the other four games, Reyes went a combined 0-for-17 with three walks.
It’s worth wondering whether the Mets considered moving Reyes out of the leadoff spot to try to inspire him or get production from someone else. But Randolph said he didn’t consider moving Reyes, who went 1-for-5 last night.