The Lohud Mets Blog

PHOTO: AP

Pedro Martinez was in good spirits after yesterday’s simulated game. He wasn’t sharp, but he felt good, and for now, that’s what counts.

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. _Few things in a baseball clubhouse are more entertaining and enlightening than Pedro Martinez holding court.
For nearly an hour after yesterday’s simulated game, Martinez sat by his locker and jumped from topic to topic like a channel surfer.

That he talked that long answered the questions of his health.

After watching a video of Brett Favre’s retirement press conference, Martinez said, “if he were a pitcher, he’d be my hero.’’

Of course, he already has one, Juan Marichal, calling the Hall of Famer, “my idol.’’
Marichal spoke of his relationship with Johan Santana and the media; of not being the MVP in 1999; and of the Hall of Fame.

Of his health, he said, “I’m in good spirits.’’

That he feels nothing in one of the most scrutinized shoulders in sport was the good _ and most important news _ from his 53-pitch workout.

The workout itself brought mixed results from the analytical Martinez; whose next outing will be another simulated game on Tuesday, skipping the six-hour round-trip bus ride to Ft. Myers.

After throwing two innings to Endy Chavez, Damion Easley and a couple of minor leaguers, Martinez said: “It was OK. I didn’t feel as comfortable as the other day, but I still got pretty good work in.’’

By comfort, Martinez said he felt sluggish because it was early in the morning and he’s not used to throwing around 10 a.m. When he was with Boston, he pitched in those 11 a.m., Patriots Day starts.

“I didn’t like them,’’ Martinez said. “Your body isn’t awake then.’’

It’s hard to judge in a simulated game, but Martinez threw only two swing-and-miss and miss pitches, an indication his ball wasn’t moving as well as he would have liked.

“He has some work to do just like everybody else,’’ Easley said. “He’s working himself into shape.’’

Martinez admitted to the rust, and on a scale of one-to-ten as far as being in in-season form, he said he was a “six or seven.’’

Martinez had a good change-up but said his curveball needs work.

“They got their hacks in,’’ Martinez said. “Endy seemed on top of everything I threw.’’
Martinez was hit in his first inning, but was sharper in the second.

“At first he was just throwing his pitches,’’ catcher Brian Schneider said. “Once we keep track of counts he said he felt better. It was more like a game.’’

Martinez said a pitcher doesn’t really get on his game until a month or so into the season, and that’s the long-term goal manager Willie Randolph kept in mind.

“He got his work in. It’s early,’’ Randolph said. “It was a good side session. Pedro has a plan. I don’t concern myself with Pedro.’’

And, as long as Martinez continues to laugh and hold court, and say he’s in good spirits, there will be one less thing to worry about with the Mets.

Reach John Delcos at jdelcos@lohud.com.