Mets baseball blog

Pedro: I won't quit

Pedro Martinez won't let one of the worst stretches of his storied career drive him from the game. The three-time Cy Young winner vowed to fight through after another rough outing last night in the Mets New York Mets ' eventual 8-7 loss to the Cardinals. Martinez, who spent almost two months on the DL with a strained hamstring, is 2-2 with an unsightly 7.39 ERA in seven starts this season.

"If I was to quit right now, I would be a coward," Martinez said. "You have a lot more chances of seeing me [quit] when everything is going smooth than right now. I'm going to try to find a way and face whatever adversity is out there." Continue

Martinez OK after outing

Pedro Martinez described himself as none the worse for wear yesterday, hours after rolling up his highest pitch count in nearly two years. "I felt a lot better than I thought I would," said Martinez, who threw 109 pitches in a three-run, six-inning outing in the Mets ' 9-6 victory over the Giants Tuesday night.

The Mets' three-time Cy Young winner had not thrown more than 108 pitches in a game since June 22, 2006, when he had a 110-pitch count at home against the Reds. To go over 100 pitches in his first big-league start since straining his left hamstring April 1 in Miami was surprising enough. Even more impressive was Martinez reaching that number in windy, 57-degree temperatures that never let him get comfortable. Continue

With Pedro, too, It's an opening day feel

We can debate the merits of the men and their missions at another time. We can analyze whether the old veteran pitching tonight on the left coast has anything left, or if the kid with kerosene in his right arm wouldn't be better utilized in another role. There will be plenty of time to have those conversations. For now, we need only focus on this: Pete and Heat.

For now, there is Pedro Martinez returning to the Mets in San Francisco, throwing his first big-league pitch in two months and two days about 31/2 hours or so after Joba Chamberlain will throw his first big-league pitch as a starter, ever. There is a buzz of history surrounding the Chamberlain start, a whisper of nostalgia wafting over Martinez's. Continue

Pedro: 'Great’ days are ahead

Pedro Martinez returned to Shea Stadium yesterday and brought with him a message for his teammates: "We're due to win," the right-hander said. "We owe something to the fans, to the people in New York. I hope we can all pull it off together. "I think we're due to do something great here, and I hope we do it soon. I hope all the adversity that we have to face is already gone." Continue

Pedro a step closer

Pedro Martinez made what's slated to be his only minor league rehab start last night, pitching six innings for St. Lucie in A-ball. Throwing 82 pitches, Martinez - who's been recovering from a strained hamstring - allowed two runs on four hits, while walking nobody and fanning six. Barring a setback, he's set to pitch Tuesday in San Francisco, completing his two-month rehab. Continue

Pedro Martinez mulls retirement at end of season to tend to ailing father

- Pedro Martinez may be on the fast track back into the Mets' starting rotation, but he is traveling that road with a heavy heart.

After facing minor leaguers in game competition Monday at Tradition Field, Martinez was equal parts enthusiasm and concern in an extended interview. He was zealous about a proposed start for the club that could come before the end of the month. He was distressed about his ailing father and said a desire to be there for his family might bring him to an early retirement - possibly even after this season. Continue

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Mets push back Pedro's return

The pitching help that the struggling Mets could use most - three-time Cy Young winner Pedro Martinez won't be arriving anytime soon. GM Omar Minaya told The Post the Mets now expect a strained left hamstring to sideline Martinez until at least the middle of May - and possibly into June. The Mets originally said Martinez, 36, would miss 4-to-6 weeks after hearing a pop in the hamstring on April 1, just four innings into his season debut, the Mets' second game.

Although the Mets still describe the injury as a mild strain, Minaya said a return by Martinez before the six-week mark has since been ruled out by the team and its doctors. Martinez has been rehabbing at his home in Miami since the injury. Continue

Pedro out 4-6 weeks

According to SNY, I will believe he is back when I see it.

Pedro hurt immediately, and who's surprised?

Disappointing. Disheartening. Perhaps even devastating. But surprising? Hardly. You can apply any of the D-words to what happened to Pedro Martinez scarcely four innings into his latest comeback last night - throw in Disabled, as in List, which is where he probably is headed once again - but there is one D-word you had best leave out.

That word is Dumbfounded, because other than the eternally optimistic Martinez, is there anyone who truly was counting on a full season of Pedro? Continue

Pedro Martinez to start final home opener at Shea Stadium

Pedro Martinez has given his blessing to Johan Santana starting on Opening Day against the Marlins. Regardless, the 36-year-old righthander will have his own ceremonial moment. Martinez, who made his final spring tune-up in a minor-league intrasquad game Wednesday will pitch the final Shea home opener on April 8 against the Phillies in his second '08 start.

"I'm pretty sure they're interested in seeing Johan as well," Martinez said, referring to the Shea faithful. "But I think before Johan gets to the mound, they're going to have to settle for the old goat and a very familiar face - even though I'm pretty sure they're going to enjoy it just as much as I will." Continue

Pedro Martinez can toss aside concerns

Pedro Martinez didn't need to pitch in Friday's Grapefruit League game to know he's healthy. His body tells him that on the back fields, when he throws the ball like he did a decade ago. "You pick it up and throw it and know that nothing is going to bother you," Martinez said. "You enjoy when you're able to go out there with everybody and do like everybody else does and not have to worry about anything."

Martinez felt so good pitching five innings on Friday against the Nationals, he suggested he was capable of pitching another two or three innings on top of his 71-pitch effort. Despite trouble gripping his breaking pitches because of a wind that dried the balls, Martinez held Washington to two runs and five hits while striking out four and walking none in the Mets' 8-2 victory. Continue

Pedro Martinez has final warmup before Grapefruit League start

Next time, it's for real. "I'm very happy with the way it went," said Martinez, who threw 59 pitches while recording 12 outs, despite what was set up as a three-inning stint. "I wanted to approach it like a game. . . . And I feel so good, that I don't regret it.

"I felt like I was just starting to warm up and I already was three innings in and 55 pitches. I'm thinking if it was a real game and I felt so good, it would've been the same. The main key right here is just to feel healthy, and that I really felt today. I felt like I'm really, really healthy." Continue

Pedro’s pitch has to wait

As much as Pedro Martinez wants to remain a Met beyond this season, the team won't even think about talking contract until at least July. That was the Mets ' response yesterday after the three-time Cy Young winner said he would be open to discussing an extension if the club comes to him with a proposal during the season.

Martinez, 36, is in the final year of a four-year, $53 million deal he signed in 2005. The right-hander admits he doesn't have much leverage after missing all but the final month last season because of rotator-cuff surgery on his pitching arm. Continue

Pedro moves up mound appearance

Pedro Martinez remains as unpredictable as ever, but this time, at least it was in a good way. Martinez, who was scheduled to make his first mound appearance tomorrow, chose to move it up and threw 30 pitches yesterday in relative seclusion.

While the rest of the staff usually lines up for bullpen sessions at the facility's 10-pack, Martinez was off on his own. Willie Randolph dispelled the secretive nature of the event by announcing it at his daily media briefing. "He felt really good, so he got on the mound," Randolph said. When a reporter joked that this kept Martinez on schedule for Opening Day, the manager, who has yet to make that decision, laughed. "Yeah, it does," he said. Continue

Pedro Martinez on Johan Santana: 'I'm glad he's on our side'

Pedro Martinez isn't exactly an afterthought at Mets camp. But he is the No. 2 starter now. Or, perhaps more precisely, No. 1A behind Johan Santana. And that's okay with Martinez, he insisted Thursday afternoon upon arriving at the Mets' training complex.

"I'm extremely happy to have Johan over here," Martinez said after tossing a baseball on a back field with bullpen catcher Dave Racaniello. "I can breathe. It's like a big glass of cold water when you're thirsty. That's how bad we wanted Johan. I'm glad he's on our side. He's somebody that now everybody can rely on. Actually, he's somebody I love to be around. He's a great person. I'm really proud to have him here. I can't wait to give him a big hug and say, 'Hey, we're together now - one from the left side, the other from the right side.'" Continue

Pedro Martinez' cockfighting comes home to roost

Animal rights groups are accusing Mets pitcher Pedro Martinez and Hall of Fame hurler Juan Marichal of fowl play after both were shown attending a cockfight in the Dominican Republic in a video posted on YouTube last week.

"Pedro Martinez and Juan Marichal exhibited appallingly bad judgment in participating in a staged animal fight," Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of the Humane Society of the United States, said in a statement. "It doesn't excuse the behavior to find a legal haven for this reprehensible and inhumane conduct. It's animal cruelty, no matter where it occurs. Continue

Video shows Pedro Martinez, Juan Marichal at cockfight

A video of Mets pitcher Pedro Martinez and Hall of Famer Juan Marichal at a cockfight was posted this week on YouTube. Martinez and Marichal laugh before releasing the roosters. The two took part as honorary "soltadores," the word used to describe the person who puts the animal to fight.

The animal released by Martinez appears to be killed on the video, which was posted Tuesday. The fight takes place in the Coliseo de Gallos (Rooster Coliseum) in Santo Domingo, the Dominican Republic's biggest cockfighting venue. Cockfighting is legal and popular in the Dominican Republic. The video had been taken down from the site on Wednesday night. (AP)

Pedro Martinez proud he's stayed clean

Unlike his contemporary Roger Clemens - who is in the midst of damage control after being identified as a steroid user in the Mitchell Report - Mets ace Pedro Martinez says he is most proud of having remained "clean" during baseball's steroid era.

"When a report reveals that close to 100 players were using steroids, I thank God that I've always pitched clean," Martinez said in an interview in Spanish with the Dominican newspaper Listin Diario. Martinez was in Santo Domingo Thursday to receive a plaque recognizing his baseball accomplishments, part of an awards ceremony for the Dominican winter baseball season. Continue

Big finish for Mets can start with Pedro Martinez

Here are the numbers from Shea, which don't look so great anymore: The lead is down from seven games to one with four to play, after the Mets blew a five-run lead last night against fourth-place Washington and lost again, 9-6. They have given up 89 runs over the last 11 games, 32 over the last three, dropping nine of their last 13 and 10 of their last 16. The margin for error is zero.

And so Pedro Martinez steps to the mound tonight against St.Louis, hoping again to bail out his teammates and remind them of what they once were, just a few short weeks ago. "We've got to step up behind him, get the job done," Willie Randolph said. "You always feel comfortable giving the ball to guys like Pedro. They've been through the wars. They know how to stop the bleeding." Continue

Pedro won't deviate from routine

Pedro Martinez has logged only 16 innings in three starts for the Mets, but don't be deceived. Asked yesterday about shortening his time between starts from five days to the standard four, he explained that his 11-month rehab was at least as draining as if he had pitched for the Mets since Opening Day. In other words, he's fine staying on his current schedule, which has him starting again Friday in Florida. "If it's not broken," he said, "don't fix it."

That might be OK for now, with the Mets trying to nail down the NL East title in the final two weeks. But time is more of a priority come October, and Martinez's ability to bounce back quickly in a short series will become an issue. It's one that Willie Randolph does not want to address until the division is wrapped up. "Let's get to the postseason first," he said. "Right now we'll keep him where he is." Continue

Pedro Martinez always brings his A-game

He had just retired Mike Lamb on a fly ball to center field, leaving the bases loaded with Houston Astros in the fifth inning, and the 51,847 at Shea Stadium, sensing they had seen all there was to see yesterday, began imploring Pedro Martinez to oblige them with a curtain call.

And lest anyone think Pedro might have thought a curtain call for five innings of work might be considered a tad over the top, well, they couldn't know Pedro. Even the Astros, who had been held scoreless in frustrating fashion by the 35-year-old mound magician, stranding nine baserunners, seemed to understand it was the emotion of the moment he was responding to as he waved and bowed to the fans and soaked up their affection. Continue

Pedro feeling confident for second start

Pedro Martinez earned a victory during his first start of the season last week, but the peace of mind he gained may have been even more important. "I feel good," said Martinez (1-0, 3.60 ERA), who will start again this afternoon for the Mets at Shea against the Astros and their ace, Roy Oswalt (14-6, 3.35). "I feel more confident, without a doubt."

Martinez, who spent the entire season recovering from October rotator cuff surgery, was just as pleased with how he felt after his season debut as he was with the win. "I bounced back the next day after the outing and threw in the bullpen and felt good," said Martinez, who gave up two earned runs in five innings in a 10-4 win over the Reds, throwing 76 pitches. Continue

Pedro Martinez's return to Mets is morale booster, not pennant clincher

You could only be disappointed if somehow you thought shoulder surgery was going to bring back Pedro Martinez the gunslinger, the pitcher who once delighted blowing away the best hitters in baseball with his electric fastball. That Pedro is gone for good, after years of wear and tear that no amount of repair can make good as new. But it doesn't mean his return yesterday, nearly a year after he last pitched in the majors, wasn't wonderful news for the Mets.

He pitched five effective innings in the 10-4 victory over the Reds, giving up three runs (two earned) as he relied heavily on his off-speed stuff to keep hitters off-balance, while throwing occasional fastballs that reached 90 mph a couple of times, but were usually clocked around 88. Continue

Pencil Pedro Martinez in to return to Mets Monday

Pedro Martinez, who told his teammates during spring training to hang on until he could return and carry them to the division crown, is on the verge of getting a chance to fulfill that pledge. Martinez, who had rotator cuff surgery last Oct. 5, is expected to make his return on Monday in Cincinnati against the Reds. Continue

Pedro solid again in rehab start

It's getting encouraging for Pedro Martinez, and with potentially one final rehab start remaining, the Mets' ace is absolutely looking impressive. Martinez had another strong rehab outing last night, his fourth, firing a six-inning 88-pitch effort for Single-A St. Lucie. Facing Palm Beach, he allowed only an unearned run on five hits, two walks and a hit batter, while striking out four. He told The Associated Press afterwards that he "felt good overall."

Martinez, who was also excellent in his previous rehab start, evidently isn't returning to the Mets just yet, though. "Pretty safe to say he's going to make another [rehab] start," Willie Randolph said before Martinez's outing last night. Continue

Pedro's game

It is a difficult balancing act for Pedro Martinez, a tenuous test of patience and persistence and fortitude, because he misses it all so much. He misses everything about the major leagues, the big and the small and all the privileged minutiae that falls in between.

He misses the addictive joy of a clubhouse after a walk-off win. He misses sitting on the bench, chewing sunflower seeds, chatting with Tom Glavine, looking like a couple of old guys on a park bench putting the world to bed, talking about change-ups, and pitching patterns, and who hit the longest home run you ever saw. And, man, does he miss the fans. Continue

Martinez wants to return after one more start

Pedro Martinez is pushing the idea that he needs just one more rehab start before joining the Mets. His pitching lines in his first two rehabilitation starts wouldn't indicate he is ready, but after pitching four innings yesterday with the rookie Gulf Coast League Mets, Martinez is growing anxious to make his return to the big leagues.

"I need to pitch in the big leagues," Martinez said. "I feel like my pitches are improving, but I can't tell you how good I am until I get a big-league hitter out. I am already pushing the issue, but it's going to take me a little while still." Continue

Pedro making progress on the mound

Never mind the mediocrity of his final line in Tuesday's Gulf Coast League game against the Dodgers. Pedro Martinez came away feeling he is getting closer to a return to the Mets.

Martinez gave up four hits and three runs in four innings in the noon game under sauna-like conditions. He walked one and struck out four in 60 pitches -- 47 for strikes -- and would have gone out for the fifth inning, except that the Mets took about 30 minutes to bat in the fourth. So the three-time Cy Young Award winner went to the bullpen area in back of the stadium with rehab pitching coordinator Randy Niemann and threw another 20 pitches -- all fastballs -- to finish his day. Continue

'Healthy' Pedro is hit hard

Tradition Field is more than 1,000 miles from Shea Stadium, but watching Pedro Martinez warm up on its mound made it seem a whole lot closer. Seeing him get roughed up in his first rehab start removed that illusion quickly. The three-time Cy Young Award winner went three innings for Single-A St. Lucie in a Florida State League game last night against Lakeland and was knocked around for five runs on six hits. Two Lakeland hitters, Justin Justice and Diek Scram, hit home runs off the Mets' ace-in-exile. "Those kids kept it real for me," Martinez said. Continue

Pedros first start

Pedro Martinez's first rehab start is tentatively scheduled for Wednesday for Single-A St. Lucie against Lakeland. After he pitches in a minor-league game, Martinez must be recalled to the majors within 30 days.

Pedro positive

Pedro Martinez kept returning to the mound for one more inning, to the point you wondered if security might have to forcibly remove the right-hander from Tradition Field yesterday. But it's understandable that Martinez proceeded, breezing past the 45-pitch limit the Mets originally had in mind for this simulated game. With each additional inning, Martinez seemed to strengthen, becoming more efficient and nastier with his pitches.

The results were more than respectable. In what he considered his first true test since undergoing right rotator-cuff surgery last offseason, Martinez pitched 51/3 innings against Mets' Single-A and Rookie League players and allowed two runs, one unearned, on four hits with three strikeouts and no walks. Of the 67 pitches Martinez threw, 50 were strikes. He retired 13 of the last 14 batters he faced. Continue

Pedro on return: I don't know what to expect

On his way out of the Mets' clubhouse here en route to another rehab workout, Pedro Martinez looked up at the television screen and saw Priest Holmes giving an interview. He laughed to himself, then said, "Another old goat trying to make a comeback."

Entering the final stage of his comeback from rotator cuff surgery, Martinez clearly is in a happy place. He acted like the old Pedro in his two-hour workout at the Mets' minor-league complex yesterday, doing plenty of goofing around. Continue

Pedro throws 'very well'

Pedro Martinez threw 65pitches in a simulated game yesterday and "things went very well," according to Mets GM Omar Minaya. The Mets have a preliminary plan in place to have Martinez start a minor-league game on Wednesday at the earliest, which would start a 30-day clock on Martinez's rehab. If he starts Wednesday, he'd have to be back in the majors no later than Aug.31.

But Minaya also said the Mets would wait "the next day or so and see how he feels" before deciding what's next. "The report we got was very encouraging," Minaya said. "He threw all his pitches - fastball, curveball, changeup. We're very positive about that." Continue

GM counting on Pedro this year

Omar Minaya made it clear yesterday he expects Pedro Martinez back this season and he expects big things from him too. "I'm counting on him to win games for us," he said. "This season."

Martinez, who had rotator cuff surgery late last season, came through Monday's simulated game well and wants to throw another, probably before the end of the week, before getting into a minor league game. Guy Conti, the bullpen coach and Martinez confidant, said the righty is deciding the next steps, but with some input from the medical staff. "We're not going to make a mistake on this one," Conti said. "He wants to rush. We don't want him to rush. On this we want to be 100% sure of everything." Continue

Pedro throws simulated game, could pitch real one soon

Moises Alou returns to the active roster today for the first time since May 12. Damion Easley should be back, too, after a week-long bereavement leave. And even Pedro Martinez now may be less than 35 days from returning.

Martinez threw a low-key, 50-pitch simulated game on a back field at the Mets' complex in Port St. Lucie yesterday after a break that included spending time in his native Dominican Republic. Mets officials were noncommittal about whether Martinez would advance to a minor-league game, keeping open the option of another simulated game until they see how Martinez bounces back from the three-inning session. But the team's optimism with Martinez's progress so far points to the ace pitching in a minor-league game as soon as Friday with Single-A St. Lucie. Continue

The ace is up

The break appears to be almost over for Pedro Martinez. Martinez threw a 60-pitch bullpen session in the Dominican Republic on Thursday and should arrive in Port St. Lucie next week. He'll throw a second simulated game at some point before he begins his minor-league rehab assignment, according to general manager Omar Minaya.

"He's not going to just jump into games," Minaya said. Minaya said "everything is fine" with Martinez, who is recovering from offseason surgery on his right rotator cuff. It looks like the ace is in line to make his projected August return to the Mets. Continue

Pedro aces latest test, eyes August

Pedro Martinez is getting closer to a return to the Mets' rotation. The ace threw a three-inning, 50-pitch simulated game in Port St. Lucie yesterday, using all his pitches and fielding his position - a step forward from his batting practice sessions. Assistant GM John Ricco said Martinez will now be given a seven-to-10-day layoff from pitching to "rest his body and mind after nine months of extremely hard physical and mental work" following surgery last Oct. 5 to repair a torn rotator cuff. Martinez then may be ready to begin a rehab assignment in the minors that can last no longer than 30 days.

The alternative would be to pitch in another simulated game, which would increase his innings and pitch count. Ricco said the organization's estimate of an August return still holds. Continue

Pedro throws, eyes August

Pedro Martinez threw 53 pitches in Port St. Lucie yesterday, his fourth time throwing off a mound in recent weeks following shoulder surgery. With the patchwork in the Mets' rotation starting to show some holes, GM Omar Minaya remains hopeful that Martinez will be able to make rehabilitation starts "at some point in July" before possibly returning to the Mets in August.

"Pedro threw and had another good session. ... We're still looking really at a good-case scenario of July (for rehab)," Minaya said. "If we can get Pedro Martinez for anything in September, I'd take that. If he comes before September ... anything he gives us this year is gravy." Continue

Pedro throws off mound for first time

Not long after Pedro Martinez took the most important step to date in his rehab, throwing off a mound, the Mets righthander adamantly insisted he will make it back this summer. "I don't think there should be any doubt on anybody's minds," Martinez said.Eight months to the day of his rotator cuff surgery, Martinez threw 38 pitches off a mound for the first time and was his usual jovial self afterward, smiling as he spoke with a group of reporters for more than 10 minutes.

Martinez admitted he was a little hesitant when he first got on the mound, but insisted everything felt great as he threw. Still, the real test won't come until he finally gets into a game, which won't be for a while. Continue

Pedro set to take mound

Pedro Martinez is scheduled to throw off a mound tomorrow in Port St. Lucie for the first time since surgery to repair a torn rotator cuff. The Mets expect an August return.

Pedro: I'll be in Expo form

Not only is Pedro Martinez expected to rejoin the Mets in August, the ace predicted he would be throwing in the mid-90s, in the form that translated to a 1.90ERA with the Expos a decade ago. "If you ask me, I don't have any doubts that I will be mid-90s again," said Martinez, who visited his teammates yesterday at Dolphin Stadium, his first appearance with the Mets since they broke spring training.

Martinez, recovering from Oct. 5 surgery to repair a torn rotator cuff, is currently throwing baseballs on flat ground at 230feet. The ace indicated he feels good enough to throw off a mound now, but GM Omar Minaya said that'll wait until next month, with an August return the most realistic target. Martinez actually said he hasn't felt this well since the mid-1990s. Continue

Pedro may pay a vist to shea

About two weeks ago, some Mets called Pedro Martinez from the trainer's room to see how he was doing. Last night they were hoping to get an up-close look . . . but Pedro was a no-show. Martinez missed the 3-2 victory over the Yankees, but Jose Reyes heard the rehabbing Mets ace is still planning to see his first-place teammates.

"Somebody told me he's coming [today]," Reyes said after the Subway Series opener. Bullpen coach Guy Conti has known Martinez for nearly 20 years, since he was a low-level minor leaguer in the Dodgers' system. Martinez previously told Conti he was coming up for the Yankees series, and the Mets coach thinks that will be beneficial to the three-time Cy Young Award winner. Continue

Pedro's on targer for return in August

Pedro Martinez's rehab from his torn rotator cuff continues to go very smoothly. "He looks great and feels great," Chris Correnti, Martinez's personal trainer, told The Post in a phone conversation yesterday, "and he's working extremely hard." Even though Martinez is in St. Lucie and away from the Mets, Correnti said his client hasn't been depressed or unhappy.

"Spirits are good. He's just extremely determined," Correnti said. "He's really motivated and determined to get through this next phase of his progression." Martinez's rehab yesterday lasted approximately four hours, according to Correnti, and the righty is now throwing at 180 feet, an impressive distance. On March 23 the 35-year-old was at 75 feet. Martinez - who has suffered "no setbacks," according to Omar Minaya - will eventually move to throwing off a mound, though Minaya said that shouldn't be until "at least" June. The GM still projects an August return. (NY Post)

Pedro could rehab with big club soon

It appears that Pedro Martinez could rejoin the Mets by the end of this month. Not as a fully functioning member of the rotation, of course. He's not that far ahead of schedule. But he could be throwing from a mound sooner rather than later, and the Mets want him to take that important step under their supervision.

Martinez, who is rehabbing from rotator cuff surgery, has not stepped on a mound since Sept. 27, his final start of last season. After showing up early for spring training, Martinez still waited more than three weeks before playing catch, and he's vowed to take the rehab process slow. But even so, team officials are pleased with his progress, and Martinez was showing a little pop on his fastball at the end of March. Continue

Was Pedro worth it? You better believe it

Even if Pedro Martinez never pitches another inning for the Mets, it was worth signing him. For that matter, the deal that took the pitcher out of Boston and landed him in New York - and often on the disabled list - worked out for everyone involved.

This came to mind when the Red Sox played the Mets last night. Martinez was not around because he does his work at the minor-league side of the Mets' complex, coming and going like the wind. But in a way he was everywhere. Continue

Pedro still progressing, while not overdoing it

There were a few anxious moments for onlookers yesterday at the Mets' minor-league complex when Pedro Martinez opened his routine throwing session by flinging wild tosses that didn't come within five feet of his personal trainer, Chris Correnti. Turns out it was a false alarm. Martinez had his eyes closed as part of a warm-up drill. When asked to peer into the future about his return later this season, the Mets' rehabbing ace prefers not to focus on a specific target date.

General manager Omar Minaya expects Martinez back around the first week of August, and the pitcher himself is taking baby steps. To Martinez, every morning he is scheduled to pick up a baseball seems like Opening Day. He played catch again yesterday, delivering 50 throws from a distance of 60 feet, and in many ways, that felt like victory. Continue

Met ace feels great after playing catch

After he walked out of the minor-league clubhouse yesterday morning, Pedro Martinez made a remark about what he saw. "It's so bright out there," he said. "I've been hibernating forever." But Martinez was outside yesterday for an enormous event, as the Mets' rehabbing ace played catch, throwing a ball for the first time since his Oct. 5 surgery to repair a torn rotator cuff. "It is a beautiful day. It's a blessed day," he said after he was finished. "It's a blessing day for me. It's a blessing for my career." Continue

Pedro Martinez to begin throwing

Mets pitcher Pedro Martinez can start throwing Saturday as part of his recuperation from October rotator cuff surgery. Team physician Dr. David Altchek gave the approval for Martinez's next step, general manager Omar Minaya said Friday. Minaya said the most realistic expectation is for the three-time Cy Young Award to return by August."We're probably being very conservative with him," Minaya said. "A lot of it has to do with, psychologically, where is he at?"

Martinez was not available for comment. He went 9-8 with a 4.48 ERA last season and miss the playoffs. Notes: The Mets renewed the contract of RHP Aaron Heilman. (AP)

Pedro pace should be picking up

Pedro Martinez's throwing program could begin this weekend. Or, at the very least, a plan for when to begin picking up a ball should be devised by then. Team doctor David Altchek is expected to be in camp Friday, with one task to check on Martinez's surgically repaired right shoulder. Martinez is targeting a post-All-Star break return. Continue

Pedro progress

Pedro Martinez declared yesterday his health had advanced since talking to the media just 10 days earlier. The Mets right-hander said he has more strength. Martinez also insisted he wasn't dreaming about his return to the mound yet - but the ace admitted he's eager to begin throwing.

Martinez, recovering from a torn rotator cuff, said yesterday at Tradition Field that "everything seems to be going perfect" and again said he expected to return to the Mets at some point beyond the All-Star break in mid-July. He said he believed he was ready to be on a mound immediately, though he obviously won't do that. Continue

Pedro thinks Mets can win it all

After spending the past 10 days working out at the Mets minor-league facility, Pedro Martinez emerged from isolation this afternoon to officially greet the media for the first time at Tradition Field. Martinez walked into the dugout wearing his home-white uniform, which he put on for a photo shoot, and broke into a big smile before settling onto the bench.

Martinez, who is rehabbing from rotator-cuff surgery, said that his "arm is doing great" and he "should be back by the predicted time," which the Mets have targeted for mid-July. The clubhouse definitely has been quieter without the fun-loving Martinez around, and he misses the daily interaction with his teammates. Continue