Two rookies start tonight

With injured Johan Santana out for at least one start, 24-year-old Dillon Gee will make his major league debut for the Mets against the Nationals and their Cuban rookie, 28-year-old Yuneski Maya. 

Gee was a 21st round draft pick out of the University of  Texas-Arlington in 2007. At 6-1, 195-pounds, scouting reports indicate he did not have much of a fastball, but he did a nice job at Triple-A Buffalo this season, going 13-8 with 165 strikeouts in 161 1/3 innings--a franchise record.

Maya has pitched in just five minor league games in the United States.  After signing a four-year contract for a reported $4 million, he was 1-2 with a 3.38 earned run average in the Nationals' minor league chain.  He struck out 18 in 21 1/3 innings. Maya was 48-29 with a 2.51 ERA in Cuba.