Last game: Mets (SS) 3, Braves (SS) 2. Mike Pelfrey made his professional debut in the Port St. Lucie wing of action on Saturday, allowing one run – an opposite-field solo homer to Braves prospect Jarrod Saltalamacchia – over four innings, striking out three.
The most interesting piece of Pelfrey’s debut - even though he fell behind many of his hitters - is the way Mets people have been loose-lipped about his progress.
The Mets have always been over-protective of young pitchers – heck, if Scott Kazmir was still in the Mets organization last season, he might not have even been pitching at the Major League level – but nobody seems shy about considering the possibility that Pelfrey will be in New York by summer. Willie Randolph said it again on Saturday.
Elsewhere in the brisk contest, Paul Lo Duca hit his first home run for New York, a solo shot off Atlanta prospect Chuck James.
Last game: Nationals 10, Mets (SS) 2. Yusaku Iriki took a step back, allowing five runs, five hits and walking five in 3-2/3 innings at Viera. Henry Owens was blasted for five runs (four earned) in one inning of work, though Lastings Milledge homered.
Since you’re gone… Anderson Hernandez didn’t shed any tears when Bret Boone decided to retire, one day before the Mets began their intra-squad games in February.
And though he is sympathetic to Kaz Matsui’s injured right knee, Hernandez is – as you would hope – determined to make the most of his newfound opportunity.
Hernandez, 23, is the clear front-runner to make it to Shea Stadium on Opening Day and is whispered as the Mets’ second baseman of the future, even though Willie Randolph continues to publicly mention players like Chris Woodward, Jose Valentin and Jeff Keppinger.
Let’s talk gardening: Pedro Martinez opens up with Don Burke of the Newark (N.J.) Star-Ledger, discussing his love for flowers, his private life, his on-field arrogance and more.
Call me back: Braves GM John Schuerholz was at Tradition Field Saturday, spotted sitting in the stands next to his Mets counterpart Omar Minaya.
Schuerholz said he’s still waiting to speak with Tom Glavine, who he upset in his new book, ‘Built to Win,’ by releasing details of Glavine’s negotiations with Atlanta and the Mets in the 2002-03 winter.
Inside track?: Left-handed batters are 0-for-9 this spring against non-roster invitee Darren Oliver, Adam Rubin notes in the Daily News.
Coming up: Brian Bannister is on the mound for New York against the Marlins at Port St. Lucie on Sunday, a 1:10 p.m. ET start. The Mets want to get another look at Bannister in consideration of his chances for making the Opening Day roster, pushing Tom Glavine’s work to a back field for the day.