New York Mets Call Up Lastings Milledge [J. Mark English]

Incredibly I actually have tickets to tomorrow's game where for the first time, Lastings Milledge may walk out on the field of Shea in uniform!

NEW YORK (AP) -- 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 penciled in the starting lineup, playing right field and batting eighth. Because of travel difficulties, he still hadn't gotten to Shea Stadium two hours before the scheduled first pitch.

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 RBIs 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.