Alay Soler, a defector from Cuba, will make his first Major League start on Wednesday night when the Mets host the Phillies. "He's very mature," said Juan Manuel. "He's pitched a lot. He has an idea when he's out on the mound. "He changes speeds and can add to his fastball when he needs to. He can throw his breaking ball for strikes. I think he's ready for that situation." He was signed, sight unseen, in the middle of the 2004 season by Jim Duquette.