Mets Morning News 5-20-11

• Terry Collins plans to use Fernando Martinez as the designated hitter in Friday and Saturday's games against the Yankees. Carlos Beltran is slated  to DH on Sunday.

• Heading into the Subway Series, Francisco Rodriguez called Mariano Rivera, "The best. Period." In the history of baseball, yes, Rivera is one of the best, but heading into this weekend, I'd argue K-Rod might have the edge with his 14 consecutive saves this season.

• Irving Picard filed court papers Thursday in response to the Mets owners request that the $1 billion lawsuit be dismissed. In the papers, Picard argued:

"[Fred Wilpon and Saul Katz] are holding $300 million in fictitious profits consisting of other people's money, stolen money that they received from Bernard Madoff."

• Picard also claims the Mets owners shopped for insurance to protect themselves from the Ponzi scheme.

"Trustee Irving Picard says partners in Sterling Equities contacted a broker to ask about insuring their account with Madoff in February 2001. In one handwritten note, court records say partner Arthur Friedman wrote the insurance should cover "fraud or fidelity" with the word 'Ponzi' in parentheses."

• All tickets marked "May 18 - Game 22" can be redeemed for complimentary tickets to the May 30 game against the Pirates. Tickets can be picked up in advance at the Citi Field Advance Ticket Window, or from the Day of Game Ticket Sales Window two hours prior to the start of the game on May 30. For more info, call (718) 507-TIXX.