Kaz Matsui is making progress coming back from a knee injury, but Anderson Hernandez, his replacement at second base for the Mets, is making a name for himself defensively.
That’s why Met manager Willie Randolph wouldn’t say that Matsui, rehabbing a sprained MCL in his right knee in Port St. Lucie, will be the starting second baseman when he returns.
“That’s a decision we have to make depending on how we’re doing and where we are,” Randolph said before yesterday’s scheduled game against the Marlins was rained out. “And then if he comes back, he’s going to have to kind of work his way back in there.
“A lot depends on how we’re doing as a team, how Anderson is doing. That’s something we just have to play out.”
Randolph said it was possible Matsui would play in his first extended spring training game as early as yesterday. But the manager cautioned that even four or five games might not be enough preparation for the former Japanese superstar.
“He’s been coming along a lot sooner and a lot quicker than we thought he would,” Randolph said of Matsui. “But to me, it’s not totally starting over from spring training, but you have to get back into game shape.
“Kid’s doing pretty well defensively and we’re winning a few games. There’s no rush, that’s for sure.”
If Matsui sported the .063 (1-for-16) batting average that Hernandez possesses, he’d be booed out of Shea Stadium. But Hernandez has shown a flair for spectacular defense.
In the second inning on Opening Day against the Nationals, the 23-year-old ranged up the middle and stole a single from Nick Johnson with a fallaway throw to first. And in the second game of the season, Hernandez stole a single from Marlon Byrd with a diving catch in shallow right that knocked the wind out of him.
“He’s been spectacular,” Tom Glavine said.
Hernandez, 1-for-18 in a cup of coffee last year, notched his first base hit of the season in Friday’s 9-3 victory over Florida.