Mets bring El Duque back to New York
The pitching-thin Mets acquired Orlando Hernandez from Arizona Wednesday, welcoming El Duque back to New York and hoping he can help them now – and maybe later, when more is at stake.
The Mets traded reliever Jorge Julio to the Diamondbacks for Hernandez. The deal was announced before the National League East leaders beat Philadelphia 5-4.
“We’re happy to have El Duque,” Mets general manager Omar Minaya said. “We needed starting pitching. The thing I liked a lot is he has pitched in New York. He’s happy to be coming back to New York, a place he knows and a place that knows him.”
Listed at 36 years old and a proven postseason pitcher, Hernandez was struggling in his first season in the league. He was just 2-4 with a 6.11 ERA in nine starts for the West-leading Diamondbacks, and was not pitching with a set turn.
“I need to pitch every five days,” Hernandez said. “In New York, I’ll pitch every five days.”
Hernandez said he was told he might start this weekend against Florida. The Diamondbacks visit Shea Stadium next week.
Hernandez said he had mixed feelings about the trade.
“I’m happy, and I’m not happy. It’s 50-50. I like New York. I like Arizona,” he said.
Bonds’ TV show on hiatus
The run appears to be over, mainly because of a lack of home runs.
“Bonds on Bonds,” the ESPN reality series featuring San Francisco Giants slugger Barry Bonds, will go on hiatus after two more shows, and is unlikely to return on a regular basis.
The series, which began airing April 4, will be on Thursday at 4 p.m. PDT in its regular half-hour format. The show has aired Tuesdays, but was switched this week because of scheduling conflicts.
There will be a one-hour wrap-up show Monday at 4 p.m. PDT, and then that’s it, at least for a while.
Yankees hurt again
Just when the Yankees seemed to be getting healthier with the return of Gary Sheffield, they lost catcher Jorge Posada for at least one game and possibly Jaret Wright for one start.
Posada had a sore hamstring and was not in the starting lineup for the finale of a three-game series against the Boston Red Sox. He was hurt Tuesday night in the same game in which Wright tweaked his groin and left after five shutout innings of the Yankees’ 7-5 win.
That game marked the return of Sheffield, who went 0 for 3 as the designated hitter after missing 16 games with a contusion and sprain of his left wrist and hand.
Clearing the bases
Pittsburgh activated utility man Jose Bautista from the bereavement list and optioned infielder Yurendell DeCaster to Triple-A Indianapolis. … Rookie pitcher Cole Hamels was placed on the 15-day disabled list by Philadelphia with a strain in his left shoulder. … The Giants optioned struggling right-handed reliever Scott Munter to Double-A Connecticut and sent outfielder Dan Ortmeier to Triple-A Fresno. … Chicago White Sox shortstop Juan Uribe was hit in the helmet with a pitch from Oakland’s Dan Haren and had to leave. … The Yankees acquired infielder Nick Green from Tampa Bay for cash considerations.