PORT ST. LUCIE -– Orlando Hernandez, who has said he won’t accept a demotion to the bullpen, took some tentative steps toward fending off Mike Pelfrey today by throwing roughly 40 pitches with his new windup in the Tradition Field bullpen. A toe ligament sore from surgery and a painful bunion, both on his right foot, have slowed Hernandez’s development to a crawl this year. The foot discomfort even prompted El Duque to abandon his trademark eye-level leg kick in favor of more conventional delivery.

The pitches today were staggered to mimic three half-inning segments in a game. If he wakes up feeling good tomorrow, El Duque hopes to throw to hitters in a simulated game -– much like Pedro Martinez did Friday –- by early next week.

El Duque’s status remains a question mark to everyone else because, nearly two weeks into the Mets’ Grapefruit League schedule, the veteran right-hander still hasn’t made his first start of the spring.