MET NOTES
Endy Chavez started last night, but Shawn Green was the benched outfielder.
Chavez was in right field last night for his first career playoff start, while Cliff Floyd started again in left. Chavez had come in to replace Floyd on defense in Game 1.
“Cliff obviously gives us a little more protection on David [Wright],” said Willie Randolph, who had Floyd hitting sixth behind Wright.
Randolph noted Chavez has performed successfully against lefties, as he batted .333 in 78 at-bats this season. Floyd hit only .179 in 84 at-bats versus lefties, while Green hit .267 in 165 turns with Arizona and the Mets.
Green, though, had a poor Game 1, going 0-for-4 with two strikeouts, while Floyd hit a solo homer.
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The Mets’ starters for Game 3 and Game 4 are still not certain, according to Randolph. In fact, there are two candidates for Game 3 and potentially three for Game 4.
It was believed Steve Trachsel would pitch tomorrow and Oliver Perez would go Sunday, but Randolph said yesterday that they could switch them. He also admitted that “possibly” John Maine could come back on three days’ rest for Game 4.
It’s still likely Trachsel will pitch tomorrow.
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Pedro Martinez had his rotator cuff surgery yesterday, and GM Omar Minaya was pleased with the report he received.
“Everything went well,” Minaya said. “I talked to the doctors [yesterday] morning and they felt the operation was a success.”
Martinez is slated to miss at least the first three months of 2007.