Pedro Martinez: The Immient Return

Pedro Martinez, the embattled Mets righty ace pitcher is inching closer to a return to the majors.

Since having rotator cuff surgery on Octocer 5th of last year, Martinez has since limted action, pitching in just four minor league games. As a mid-September return to Flushing draws more evident, Pedro, along with Mets fans see the silver lining to once was a very dark cloud.

Since signing Martinez to a high-dollar contract in 2004 4yr, 54mil,) fans and management have seen Pedro on the mound far less than they had hoped. In games Martinez has pitched the Mets have looked like a different team, with far more fire and drive to succeed. The signing of Martinez has boosted Mets attendence and unlitmately lead to the signings of Carlos Beltran and Carlos Delgado. Since becoming a Met Martinez has posted a 24-16 record with a 3.45 ERA; pitching effectively in a limted number of outings.

Martinez looked sharp in his latest rehab outing for the Class-A Port St. Lucie Mets, pitching 6 innings, while giving up just one un-earned run, and striking out four. Martinez will again pitch Saturday, making his last rehab outing (for either Class-A Brooklyn or AA Binghamton) before joining the MLB Mets on August 8th or 9th against the Houston Astros at Shea Studium.

Martinez has 205 wins and is just two strikeouts from career number 3,000; a milestone that many pitchers strive for, but only few ever reach. Only time will tell if Martinez can come back and resume his position as one of the most dominate pitchers of this era; or has time and injuries finally caught up to the 35 year-old righty that is most known for the dazzling movement on all his pitches. The key(s) for Martinez on Saturday will be to get command on all of his pitches and to feeling continually comfortable on the mound after this devestating injury that sidelined him for almost a year.

The Mets are counting on Martinez to anchor a pitching staff that is full of vetern (the age-less wonders Orlando Hernandez and 300-game winner Tom Glavine,) youthful inexperience (John Maine and Oliver Perez have pitched well, but have struggled down the stretch,) and tiring arms (mainly Heilman, Mota, and Sosa out of the bullpen.) Now, just three games up on the rival Phillies in the NL East, Mets management is hoping Martinez is the guy that can spark them into October and beyond. . . .