So the Mets have a difficult challenge on their hands. Who should they pick for their 5th starting pitcher? They could have chosen a four man rotation to use until April 12th, but they felt that Pedro Martinez will play the best with the extra rest. So this gives them a choice between Orlando Hernandez and Mike Pelfrey.

Hernandez, otherwise known as El Duque, allowed five runs in three innings in the Mets recent loss to the Cardinals. Of course, his huge challenge is the bunion on his foot, which has forced him to completely readjust his entire style of pitching. It’s pretty remarkable to think that he’d even be considered as a starter. But his recent poor performance has made the powers that be readjust their expectations.

Then there’s Mike Pelfrey who Adam Rubin of the Daily News refers to as the “unproven underachiever.” Ouch. But given his performance against the Cardinals, allowing eight runs in 4-1/3 innings, I think the description is apt.

So what do the Mets do? In the long sports tradition of understating the truth, GM Omar Minaya says, “As a whole, you wish it would have been a better day.” So they’ve decided not to decide. All of those fans who purchase Mets tickets right now won’t know who they’ll be seeing on the mound in that fifth spot.