PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (AP) -Livan Hernandez appears to be close to locking up the fifth spot in the New York Mets’ rotation.
Hernandez pitched five solid innings in a minor league game Monday, allowing a run and five hits with seven strikeouts. His main competition, Freddy Garcia, meanwhile, was hit hard again.
“He has been very good,” Mets manager Jerry Manuel said of Hernandez. “He’s healthy. He knows how to pitch. I have no complaints about his stuff or his location.”
The right-hander would complete a rotation that includes Johan Santana, Mike Pelfrey, John Maine and Oliver Perez.
Garcia, in camp on a minor league contract, gave up three runs on eight hits in four innings despite showing an increase in his velocity.
“I was encouraged today by Freddy Garcia,” Manuel said. “His arm strength appears to get better every time out.”
innings of work each time out and there are several bullpen issues that need to be settled before breaking camp.
“We have to get together as a group and figure some things out,” Manuel said. “We’re running out of innings. We’ve got to make a decision here pretty soon, probably before the next turn.”
Garcia could be sent to minor league camp to get more work, but Garcia said he believes he is progressing to the point where he can pitch for a major league team this year and doesn’t know if he would be open to such an assignment.
“I’m feeling stronger every time I go out to pitch,” Garcia said. “(Hernandez) is pitching good. I’m feeling good right now. Spring training is spring training, so whatever they decide. The way I feel now, I know I can help a team. I have to think about it. I love it here, but I got to talk to my agent.”
e a decision whether to start back at it or give him a break like I did with the other guys,” Manuel said.
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