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August 6, 2007
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (AP) - Pedro Martinez will make his first rehab start for New York on Tuesday as he attempts to return to the Mets' rotation after offseason shoulder surgery.
The 35-year-old Martinez had his rotator cuff repaired in October and has been working toward a return all season. The right-hander first threw to batters on June 26.
The three-time Cy Young winner was scheduled to make a rehab start last Wednesday, but it was rained out and he instead threw a 5 1-3 innings of a simulated game against minor leaguers the following day.
In the simulation, Martinez gave up two runs - one earned - and four hits against players from the St. Lucie Mets and the Gulf Coast League Mets. In 67 pitches, he struck out three, walked none and hit a batter.
"Really, I thought the encouraging part for me guys was the back of those innings," Mets general manager Omar Minaya said at the time. "The back of those innings when he was throwing the fastball down and away with the movement, that's Pedro."
Most of Martinez's fastballs were from 86-88 mph, Minaya said.
"Anything that we get from Pedro this year is extra," he said. "We feel that there is a chance ... for me the guys that we have right now, we have to plan on winning with these guys. We're not saying that he's going to come back and be this guy that's going to get us to the next level."
Said Martinez after the simulated game: "I'm still missing location badly ... Actually toward the end I felt better than starting the game, and that means I need work."
Posted by Mike McDermott 
at 3:57 PM | Permalink
