Mexico City's Mercado severely injured 
MEXICO CITY - Mexico City is without its right-hander 
<a href=p1404.html>Jose Mercado</a> for at least 6 
weeks. He injured himself while throwing a pitch to 
<a href=p1516.html>Fausto Grasso</a> in a game against 
Minnesota. His face showed signs of pain immediately 
after the ball left his hand. Mexico City wasted no 
time and rushed him to an hospital. Team officials 
were informed later that Mercado had suffered a Strained 
Back Muscle. In 17 starts this year Jose struck out 
35 batters in 85.2 innings of work. His ERA is 6.51, 
his record 4-4. 
