Trachsel injury blow for Mets

Trachsel could be out for around three months

The New York Mets are seeking a replacement for injured pitcher Steve Trachsel, with Matt Ginter, Jae Seo, and Aaron Heilman in the running.

Mets manager Willie Randolph said: "The opportunity is there for a few guys. We'll see who takes the bull by the horns."

The Mets, with a solid rotation of Pedro Martinez, Tom Glavine, Kris Benson and Victor Zambrano, had Trachsel penciled in as their fifth starter.

But the right-hander is now set to undergo surgery to repair a herniated disc and is expected to miss a major part of the season.

Trachsel, 34, went 12-13 with a 4.00 ERA last season. He has made at least 28 starts each of the last 10 years.

So far, only Ginter has been impressive. He's allowed no earned runs in seven innings this spring with six strikeouts and only one walk.

Injured Chicago Cubs starters Kerry Wood and Mark Prior showed some progress after testing their arms Wednesday in Mesa, Arizona.

Wood, who has bursitis in the shoulder and inflammation near the rotator cuff, threw about 30 pitches.

Prior, who has inflammation in his elbow and irritation to the ulnar nerve, played catch from about 80ft for five minutes.