NEW YORK -- Top prospect Lastings Milledge was called up by
the New York Mets on Tuesday after starting right fielder Xavier
Nady was placed on the disabled list following an appendectomy
earlier in the day.
Milledge was in the starting lineup, playing right
field and batting eighth. He went 1-for-4 (a double) in the Mets' 7-2 loss to the Diamondbacks.
The arrival of the 21-year-old Milledge from Triple-A Norfolk
has been greatly anticipated by fans in New York since the highly
regarded outfielder was chosen with the No. 12 pick in the first
round of the 2003 draft.
Milledge, drafted out of high school in Bradenton, Fla., batted
.291 (53-182) with four home runs, 19 RBI and four stolen bases in
50 games this season with Norfolk. He also had 16 doubles and 32
runs scored.
He impressed Mets brass in spring training, where he batted .327
in 23 games.
"He had speed, was aggressive and has quick hands," manager
Willie Randolph said. "I like his demeanor. He's not intimidated.
I look for that in a young player. He'll be nervous. That's part of
it. But he's the best guy we can bring up right now, a guy who can
help us win games."
Mets general manager Omar Minaya said the decision to bring up
Milledge was made after Nady underwent surgery early Tuesday
morning.
"Why not run the kid up there and give him the opportunity to
play? This is an opportunity for the kid to get a taste without
feeling he has to be the guy," Minaya said. "I like to give kids
opportunities. He doesn't have to feel he's the savior. We have
some vets around him and that will help him learn.
"He knows he has ability and he's aggressive with that ability.
I think he's ready to take the next step. We'll see."
Anytime trade rumors have cropped with the Mets in the past
year, Milledge has been widely sought after by other teams
especially as New York looked for pitchers to fill in on its
injury-depleted staff.
But New York has been reluctant to trade another top prospect
after sending away young left-hander Scott Kazmir, who was dealt
two years ago to the Tampa Bay Devil Rays for Victor Zambrano.
Kazmir, a 22-year-old left-hander, is second in the AL with
seven wins this season and fifth in the league with a 2.86 ERA.
Zambrano is out for the year following surgery earlier this month
to replace a torn ligament in his pitching elbow.
At last year's trade deadline when rumors swirled that the Mets
were close to acquiring Boston outfielder Manny Ramirez, Devil Rays
general manager Chuck LaMar said he spoke with New York and came up
with a three-way deal involving Tampa Bay, Boston and New York.
LaMar said a proposal was "about as close as it got," adding
that the Mets made Milledge "untouchable throughout this trade
deadline."
Nady, acquired from San Diego in the offseason in the deal that
sent Mike Cameron to the Padres, had surgery early Tuesday at New
York Presbyterian Hospital.
He went 0-for-2 with a run scored Monday night in New York's 8-7
victory over Arizona that ended shortly before midnight. Nady was
hit by a pitch in the eighth inning and left the game.
While being examined, he complained of abdominal pain, and the
appendicitis diagnosis followed. Nady was then taken to the
hospital.
The Mets said Nady, who missed two games last week because of a
sore lower back, should be able to resume baseball activities
within 10 days. He is hitting .267 with nine homers and 22 RBI in
his first season with New York.