NEW YORK -- Add another need to New York Mets general
manager Steve Phillips' shopping list before the trade deadline.
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| Ordonez |
Already in the market for pitching and an outfield bat, the Mets
found out Wednesday they will be without three-time Gold
Glove-winning shortstop Rey Ordonez for the rest of the season.
"It's simply something we have to consider that we didn't
expect to have to consider a few weeks ago," Phillips said.
Ordonez, who broke his left forearm May 29 in Los Angeles, was
expected to be back by the All-Star break. But a checkup Wednesday
with Dr. Andrew Weiland revealed the bone is not healing properly,
and Ordonez will need a plate and screws inserted into his arm.
"I am surprised by the findings because everything was normal
in the first checkup," Phillips said. "We're a better team with
Rey Ordonez. But I think we will be able to compete and overcome
it."
The Mets will use Kurt Abbott and Melvin Mora in Ordonez's
place, but could pursue a trade before the July 31 deadline.
Baltimore's Mike Bordick might be available.
"Our situation has changed, but what hasn't changed is the
market," said Phillips, who has been in discussions with teams
about shortstops since Ordonez was hurt last month. "I'll still
talk to other clubs, but I'll only do something if it will help our
club."
Ordonez will probably have the operation Monday, and the plate
will remain in until January. He is expected back by spring
training.
The bone, which was bent at a 5-degree angle when it was broken,
is now bent between 10 and 15 degrees, making the operation
necessary.
Ordonez finished 1999 with 100 straight games without an error -- a major league record -- also setting an NL record with just four
errors in 640 chances. He already had six errors this season, twice
as many as Mora and Abbott combined.
He was only hitting .188 with no homers and five RBI at the
time of the injury.
"The offense is less important on our team because Rey was more
of a defensive player," Phillips said. "There is no solution
within our organization or outside it that could duplicate what Rey
can do defensively."
The Mets' infield defense, which committed a record-low 33
errors in 1999, is already missing first baseman John Olerud, who
signed with Seattle as a free agent during the offseason.
Abbott is hitting .202 with three homers and seven RBI, while
Mora is batting .255 with two homers and 15 RBI.
"We'll have a good player playing shortstop every day,"
manager Bobby Valentine said. "I'm confident that the more those
guys play the more comfortable they'll be."
Ordonez was injured after taking a wide throw from first baseman
Todd Zeile. Ordonez made a backhand tag and his arm struck the
helmet of baserunner F.P. Santangelo.
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AUDIO/VIDEO
 ESPN's Tim Kurkjian looks at the Mets options after losing Rey Ordonez.
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