Mets' Injured Ace Getting Closer
Pedro Martinez may be the wild card for the Mets to lock up the division title. The way their starting rotation looks presently, they can probably go on without their injured ace and still make the playoffs. But by adding the former Cy Young award winner in the second half of the season, they probably will lock up their second consecutive National League East crown before September.
Rehabbing from rotator cuff surgery on his pitching arm in Port St. Lucie, Florida, Martinez threw 38 pitches off a mound for the first time in eight months. He made it through the test fine and added his usual flair.
"I don't think there should be any doubt on anybody's mind," he said to reporters when asked if he will be back this season.
When Pedro says something as definitive as that, he should be believed. This is a man that knows his body well, and he has done everything at the right pace in his rehab so far. There is no rush to get him back to Shea Stadium until he has a clean bill of health from the team doctors and trainers. That is the luxury that the Mets have given themselves with a hot start.
Mets rehab pitching coach Randy Niemann said, "He [Martinez] went into it with an understanding that he wasn't going to push it. He wants to be free and easy."
Omar Minaya, the Mets' general manager, has put himself in a good spot by acquiring depth in starting pitching. Jorge Sosa was taken off the scrap heap after having an abysmal 2006 with Atlanta and St. Louis, when he went a combined 3-11. Since being recalled from Triple-A New Orleans, he has been one of the biggest surprises so far by going 5-1.
Chan Ho Park was also signed as a stop-gap arm, but did not perform well in a few big league starts and in the minor leagues and was released this week. But with Tom Glavine, Orlando 'El Duque' Hernandez, John Maine and Oliver Perez, the Mets have four quality starters. And don't forget phenom Mike Pelfrey, who did not perform well after winning the number five starter's spot in spring training and is currently back in New Orleans.
If the team can maintain their slim lead over Atlanta, adding Martinez after the All-Star break will give them a big boost to take off. Their pitchers have been doing extremely well and that is the main reason why they are in first place. Sosa can slide into the long-man role out of the bullpen to make room for Martinez and be effective. With the veterans that they currently have, injuries are also a possibility. But Minaya has stocked up on replacements that can make a spot start or two. They always say that pitching and defense wins, and the Mets have the first half of that covered well.