PORT ST. LUCIE, FL – Orlando “El Duque” Hernandez is known for his unorthodox high leg kick, as he is known for his Cuban background, multiple arm angles and his unknown age.

Now as reported age catches up to what his real age may have been four years ago, El Duque needs to abandon the kick in order to continue his career with his recurring bunion problem.

But don’t worry about the veteran pitcher, since this may be a change for the better.

“Honestly to go from a delivery he had before to this delivery was a much easier transition,” said Mets pitching coach Rick Peterson. “He’s such a great athlete and such a great feel. Going so long in a career like that, you do worry. We are all excited about what we saw today.”

Sixty pitches with 45 for strikes were all the Mets could ask for in the simulated performance early this morning at Tradition Field. Hernandez seemed very happy with his performance and was excited to start a game in the next week.

“I am happy,” Hernandez said. “I feel good. I threw every pitch and everybody is happy.”

Added Peterson: “He threw a ton of strikes and located his pitches. He was pain free and comfortable and upbeat afterwards.”

The Mets feel El Duque won’t lose anything by dropping the leg kick. Actually, this will help him keep better balance. By keeping his heel grounded, the veteran pitcher is able to better balance as he goes through his motion.

The leg kick may have been a deception but according to both Peterson and Willie Randolph, his true ability to fool the hitters comes from the various arm angles and that was not affected by the new delivery.

“It’s something he developed. I don’t think he got anything out of it,” Peterson said. “Once you come down you are normal.

“His heel stays grounded. Once his heel comes down it stays on the ground. It wasn’t a problem. We needed a bunion coach, we didn’t have one, and so we had to change his delivery.”

Peterson does feel this transition will be an easy one. “He has great balance,” Peterson said. “He’s a gifted athlete that’s why his transition was so easy.”

The Mets hope that will help El Duque stay healthy all season. The anywhere from 38 to 42 year old righthander was solid with a 9-5 record and a 3.72 ERA in 24 starts [he also had three relief appearances]. He had a problem, though, in September when the bunion problem started and he has been injured late in the season also in 2006.

Hopefully though this will do the trick and the high kick will be a thing of the past. Even though the kick was part of his game, pitching winning baseball is more important for the Mets old warhorse.

Notes: The Mets beat the Orioles 6-2 today with Angel Pagan further securing his spot on the roster with a 2-run home run….He is now hitting .419 this spring…Duaner Sanchez pitched an inning, giving up one run on two hits, but got the win after blowing the lead…Tomorrow the Mets go to Jupiter to face the Cardinals…Mike Pelfrey, Matt Wise, Pedro Feliciano and Jorge Sosa are scheduled to pitch.

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