The Mets can see Pedro Martinez’s return to the rotation now. His plane lands in about an hour, then this afternoon he’ll throw in the bullpen.
From there, the Mets will make a decision. Here’s hoping the Philly sweep doesn’t enter into that decision.
They aren’t playing well, but they can’t afford to panic now.
The bottom line is getting Martinez back doesn’t guarantee anything. But, rushing him back when he’s not ready pretty much assures a disaster.
10 Comments
Lets be honest. Is there anything of Pedro left thats salvageable?
Most of our injured players have come back sttrong and aftre less time on the DL. granted Pedro had major surgery as well. But lets face it… Is he really fixed? or is this smoke and mirrors.. and should we just cut our losses for him this year and not use up a slot? in the rotation.. for maybe 2 innings then he gets hurt again.. or collapses all together?
Steve C: We won’t know until he pitches
Let’s put Pedro’s health aside here for a moment, because he’s gonna be throwing the pitches, whether it’s with the Mets or a minor league team, regardless.
Where’s the risk in having his next start be in the majors?
He can’t be any worse than what we’ve gotten from Lawrence or Pelfrey in that spot.
Worst case scenario, he gets hit hard. Will his ego be affected?
No way. This is Pedro Martinez we’re talking about.
But if he comes out and mows down the competition, the morale and energy of this team could hit an all-time high.
I truely believe that the reward is much greater than any risks could possibly be.
Oh, and John, if the plan is to have him make only 1 more rehab start anyway, would having him make his next start at the Major League level really be constituted as ‘rushing him’?
Despite all you hear about the wily, adjusting Pedro, the most important numbers you’ve been hearing about Pedro’s rehabs were around 85, up to 88. That’s the velocity at which he was throwing last year. And he was good, not great (at times, not even good). So he’ll be another good pitcher. It helps. But not enough to be a big help.
I guess it’s possible he can add some heart. That’s really what the Mets need.
It doesn’t seem to me that the Mets are really rushing him back. They’ve given him plenty of rehab and healing time and enough minor league starts. Are they really rushing him?
To Daryl: Probably not. Their plan was five starts, and my point is to keep it that way.-JD
John,
And you’re probably right. They really shouldn’t waver from his rehab plan. Especially as you put it, ‘if it’s a panic move’.
The only way Pedro will know for sure though, if his pitches are going to be effective, is to throw them to MLB hitters.
Maybe it’s just the fan in me that knows this team can really use a shot in the arm (figuratively speaking ;-)), but I say the sooner the better.
Off topic for a moment, your blog has easily become my favorite blog for Mets info. Keep up the GREAT work!!!
Pedro is a leader. Whether he pitches or not, he will keep the dugout looser than it would otherwise be.
Look at the Philthies. They were dead to rights Saturday nite. Their real leader shows up (Utley) and boom.. they are all relaxed and playing ball. If Pedro can relax the team it helps without throwing a pitch.
And PS to all the Willie bashers. Look at the other extreme. You want a fiery manager. I think Guillen will be a free man real soon. There’s nothing more fiery than a man who calls out his entire team is there? He was just a genius 2 years ago, now he is manager implode…..
everyone seems to forget that Pedro was pitching like a cy young winner during april and may last year sitting below 90 mph on his fastball, mostly around 87-88. He was pitching lights out, bottom line, THEN he got injured. So yes, he can be a big help to this team even if he’s just throwing 88, not to mention everything else he’ll bring to this seemingly listless group. As for Steve C….what are you talking about? What does Pedro’s tim eon the DL have to do with other players time on the DL? I’m not getting that. Pedro had intensive surgery, they basically invented a surgery for him to attach tendons to muscle and remake his shoulder. What did you expect? Him to be fresh and ready in a few months? And after not even THROWING a ball for almost a year, you expecdt him to immediatly pitch like the pedro we know? C’mon, he’s working into it. Pitching is all about feel, especially for a guy like Pedro who has nasty breaking pitches, he needs to regain that feel. Once he does, he’ll be fine.