from yesterday's NY Post
March 30, 2005 -- <!--start bodytext-->VIERA, Fla. — Well, that ought to put everyone's minds at ease.
For the first time since he was scratched from his start last Friday with lower back stiffness, Pedro Martinez took the mound yesterday to face hitters. And in battling a crew of Mets minor leaguers in an intrasquad game, Martinez proceeded to show no signs of stiffness, soreness or rust.
Instead, he fired five impressive innings, allowing just one run on three hits and two walks. He struck out eight and threw 56 of 83 pitches for strikes.
Translation? See you on Monday for the season opener in Cincinnati.
"Yeah, I'm right where I want to be," he said.
Asked about any lingering stiffness, Martinez replied, "It was fine."
The Mets and Martinez had downplayed his stiffness since Friday, and the pitcher himself had already passed several tests. He played catch on Saturday and threw a bullpen session on Sunday, coming away in good shape. But his performance yesterday was still a dramatic event, at least for spring training. After warming up in the bullpen at Tradition Field, Martinez took the mound with basically every significant member of the Mets front office in attendance, including Fred and Jeff Wilpon.
"I felt pretty good before coming out, but I didn't know what to expect because this is the first time I ever felt something in my back," Martinez said. "I noticed by the time I threw on the side that my arm was in pretty good shape. My legs responded well.
"I got a little fatigued at the end in the bullpen, but that might have been because I didn't do anything for three days. Just getting treated. After that, I thought everything was going to be fine because I felt good."
Felt good and looked good. Martinez retired the side in order in the first inning, throwing eight of 11 pitches for strikes. He allowed just a single off the shortstop's glove in the second inning and as he entered the third, he began feeling even better.
Indeed, Martinez said that "the first two innings, I was a little cautious." But following the second frame, Martinez said, "I let it go."
That's one way of putting it.
Martinez needed only 11 pitches to retire the side in the third inning, a feat made more impressive by the fact that he struck out two of the hitters, Jesus Flores and Jeff Keppinger.
Martinez did not reach blazing speeds with his fastball yesterday, failing to exceed 90 mph. But as he noted, "I couldn't go crazy. I'm just coming off an injury. I'm trying to be good but at the same time, careful and smart."
Said GM Omar Minaya, "He looked fine."
Martinez will throw one more bullpen session, likely tomorrow, before he begins preparing for Monday's start against the Reds. He's ready to go, even if he isn't about to pull a Mark Messier guarantee on us for the opener.
"I would love to win a game, but it's not a guaranteed-win night," he said. "I'm going to try to bust my tail off to get a win and also supply the best opportunity I can for my team. I pray to God that I'm healthy and keep my team in the fight."
Asked if he was excited to see Martinez finally pitch for real, pitching coach Rick Peterson replied, "Incredibly excited. How can you not be excited?" Especially now. Opening Day is less than a week away, and the Mets ace is set.
March 30, 2005 -- <!--start bodytext-->VIERA, Fla. — Well, that ought to put everyone's minds at ease.
For the first time since he was scratched from his start last Friday with lower back stiffness, Pedro Martinez took the mound yesterday to face hitters. And in battling a crew of Mets minor leaguers in an intrasquad game, Martinez proceeded to show no signs of stiffness, soreness or rust.
Instead, he fired five impressive innings, allowing just one run on three hits and two walks. He struck out eight and threw 56 of 83 pitches for strikes.
Translation? See you on Monday for the season opener in Cincinnati.
"Yeah, I'm right where I want to be," he said.
Asked about any lingering stiffness, Martinez replied, "It was fine."
The Mets and Martinez had downplayed his stiffness since Friday, and the pitcher himself had already passed several tests. He played catch on Saturday and threw a bullpen session on Sunday, coming away in good shape. But his performance yesterday was still a dramatic event, at least for spring training. After warming up in the bullpen at Tradition Field, Martinez took the mound with basically every significant member of the Mets front office in attendance, including Fred and Jeff Wilpon.
"I felt pretty good before coming out, but I didn't know what to expect because this is the first time I ever felt something in my back," Martinez said. "I noticed by the time I threw on the side that my arm was in pretty good shape. My legs responded well.
"I got a little fatigued at the end in the bullpen, but that might have been because I didn't do anything for three days. Just getting treated. After that, I thought everything was going to be fine because I felt good."
Felt good and looked good. Martinez retired the side in order in the first inning, throwing eight of 11 pitches for strikes. He allowed just a single off the shortstop's glove in the second inning and as he entered the third, he began feeling even better.
Indeed, Martinez said that "the first two innings, I was a little cautious." But following the second frame, Martinez said, "I let it go."
That's one way of putting it.
Martinez needed only 11 pitches to retire the side in the third inning, a feat made more impressive by the fact that he struck out two of the hitters, Jesus Flores and Jeff Keppinger.
Martinez did not reach blazing speeds with his fastball yesterday, failing to exceed 90 mph. But as he noted, "I couldn't go crazy. I'm just coming off an injury. I'm trying to be good but at the same time, careful and smart."
Said GM Omar Minaya, "He looked fine."
Martinez will throw one more bullpen session, likely tomorrow, before he begins preparing for Monday's start against the Reds. He's ready to go, even if he isn't about to pull a Mark Messier guarantee on us for the opener.
"I would love to win a game, but it's not a guaranteed-win night," he said. "I'm going to try to bust my tail off to get a win and also supply the best opportunity I can for my team. I pray to God that I'm healthy and keep my team in the fight."
Asked if he was excited to see Martinez finally pitch for real, pitching coach Rick Peterson replied, "Incredibly excited. How can you not be excited?" Especially now. Opening Day is less than a week away, and the Mets ace is set.
This outing is so typical of Pedro. Last year, first two innings he stunk it up, more often than not. Then he turned great. Same thing today. I really believe he starts the game cold, and mentally soft. He gets touched, fired up mentally and warmed up physically, and he dominates. Another thing in his favor, not a lot of AB's in this league against him. He rarely has arm trouble. And today he is on the road, whiffing everbody. Can't wait to see his first home start. Just hope somebody warms him up before the game.
Best Wishes...OF:howdy:
Best Wishes...OF:howdy:
I use the mute. Incessant chatter. That is what makes going to the game so great. No announcers, you watch and enjoy. Some listen to the radio. If I hear one more ancedote or story from Costas I am going to have to extract my foot from my plasma. Not a Costas fan, you could say.
Best Wishes...OF:howdy:
Best Wishes...OF:howdy:
