Matthew Cerrone

News: Pedro on the DL, Hi Nelson
By Matthew Cerrone - Apr 2, 2008 6:06 pm

According to SNY’s Kevin Burkhardt, the Mets have placed Pedro Martinez on the 15–day disabled list with a mild strain to his left hamstring, while activating Nelson Figueroa.

Martinez is expected to be out four to six weeks.

Also, Willie Randolph told reporters that he may choose to pitch Oliver Perez on Tuesday, in the home opener, with Figueroa getting a start later in the week against the Brewers.

To hear more from Burkhardt, Matt Yalloff and Lee Mazzilli, be sure to check out ‘s Pre-Game Show starting at 6:30 pm.

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66 Comments »

Comment by RIPmurph
2008-04-02 18:10:00

Damn, I was hoping he could start tonight.

 
Comment by s-mets
2008-04-02 18:12:26

Realistically, we’ll see him in Mid May the earliest…hopefully Duque can come back in a week or so and hold the fort…Well, now is the time for Pelfrey to show us something,..b/c we are going to live or die with him as our 4th starter..

 
Comment by howellmetsfan
2008-04-02 18:12:52

What about Marchand’s report that Pedro was barely limping

Comment by darkstar73
2008-04-02 18:15:10

he very well may not be limping, does that mean he doesn’t have a slight tear in his hamstring? no, it doesn’t. Walking through an airport and pitching in a major league game are pretty different, so i’m not sure it matters if he was limping or not.

 
 
Comment by tfc3rid
2008-04-02 18:13:43

Oh well… there goes the era of good feelings!

 
Comment by irish_eagle
2008-04-02 18:13:47

It’s a concern, but I’m more worried about the fact that Delgado’s NOT injured.

 
Comment by Chris Jelic
2008-04-02 18:13:53

We’re likely less than an hour from MRI results. We’ve been waiting patiently 22 hours. why can’t we just hold on a little bit longer, rather than making such predictions?

Comment by RIPmurph
2008-04-02 18:15:23

Facts are no fun to bloggers.

Comment by Phantaroth
2008-04-02 18:18:03

Yeah, because Cerrone is usually wrong when he gives us inside info, right?

Oh wait… it’s the opposite of that…

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Comment by RIPmurph
2008-04-02 18:20:40

He’s about 50/50, like most speculators.

 
 
 
Comment by squad
2008-04-02 18:58:29

FACT: Pedro is on the 15 day DL and Figueroa is in uniform and in the pen tonight. What more do you need to know?

 
 
Comment by NYMetz6986
2008-04-02 18:15:03

i dont get it…so much for this being better than expected…well see him in june

Comment by mattygreen
2008-04-02 18:18:35

if we’re lucky

 
 
Comment by zen
2008-04-02 18:20:46

does anyone have an example of a pitcher with a pulled hamstring who return within 2 months? bannister was a health kid and couldn’t return. This is likely a long, long wait for pedro.

Comment by metsdude13
2008-04-02 18:26:03

Yup, hamstrings are tough. It could be no big deal, but it could easily extend from a couple of weeks to months.

 
 
Comment by KFS
2008-04-02 18:21:15

I’ll be sick to my stomach if Figueroa starts the home opener.

Comment by RIPmurph
2008-04-02 18:24:01

They should make a trade for Tom Glavine. He’d get a warm welcome at Shea.

Comment by Number41
2008-04-02 18:27:33

oh yes, he does well in big game situations….

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Comment by VCarver
2008-04-02 18:25:52

Willie is thinking of Ollie. But why would you be so opposed to Figueroa? He was born in NY and has close ties to the area. It would be a nice comeback story if he did make that start and won.

Comment by RIPmurph
2008-04-02 18:28:30

Jerry Seinfeld is from the area and would make a nice story if he could take the mound and win too. How about a reliable starter for the opener at Shea, rather than sentimental favorites.

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Comment by VCarver
2008-04-02 18:31:42

LOL, but Seinfeld ain’t a pitcher! I would not be adverse to seeing Figueroa start if that were his turn and they had no one else to start. But I think it’s moot because Ollie will be going.

 
Comment by RIPmurph
2008-04-02 18:35:20

I know, I’m just fooling around. Honestly, it’s just one game, so I’d rather they think long-term and not worry too much about the fact that it’s the home opener. I know that doesn’t sit well with guys who spent an arm and a leg on tickets, but that’s really the way they need to approach it for the long-term well-being of the team.

 
 
Comment by KFS
2008-04-02 18:29:06

Being it’s the final home opener at Shea and tickets $74 a pop, you’re expecting people to like it when you throw out there Figueroa?

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Comment by VCarver
2008-04-02 18:34:44

Maybe Nelson can design a special t-shirt to memorialize the occasion and give ‘em out for free!

Honestly, I don’t think it makes a difference. But then I’m not spending $74 for opening day tickets. But if I were, I don’t think I’d mind. It’s not as if they pushed Pedro aside to start Nelson.

 
Comment by KFS
2008-04-02 18:48:03

But they do have the option of starting Perez.

 
 
 
Comment by Wyoming Met
2008-04-02 18:28:09

Not to mention, Shea is kind of a dump anyway and not many people are really concerned with its last opening day.

 
 
Comment by Wheelhouse19
2008-04-02 18:29:01

All Mets fans….seriously listen up.

I know this got lost in the mix last night because of Pedro’s injury but up until that moment….PEDRO SUCKED! He was getting tattooed, let up 3 bombs, and was throwing an 85 mph fastball.

You will all be much happier individuals if you just FORGET about Pedro. He is done with the Mets and probably his career. Don’t even count down when he comes back….because he’l just come back and get hurt again. Pray Pelfrey and Sosa (who should be in the rotation) pitch well, and thats that. Time to get younger. Pedro cannot be relied upon, lets hope Nelson steps up and go from there.

The Pedro era is over. Some of you count down the days till his return like hes still good. (hes not). I think this Mets team is better without him….honest to God.

Comment by RIPmurph
2008-04-02 18:32:08

Pedro was pitching 88-92 in the Spring. You can’t take the first few innings of his first start as evidence of where he’s at.

Comment by Wheelhouse19
2008-04-02 18:36:01

Ok champ, despite whatever mph he was throwing….he still got lit up in 3 innings last night.

My point is….we all love Pedro, but he’s just not that good anymore. He’s living off a name. Jorge Sosa, really is a better fit for the rotation. He brings nasty stuff.

People are more upset about this because its Pedro. All I’m saying. I really don’t think the starting pitching is an issue, especially in this league.

I’m much much more concerned with the hitting….which quite frankly isn’t that good.

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Comment by RIPmurph
2008-04-02 18:38:14

I agree. This lineup scares no one. A lot of question marks.

 
Comment by VCarver
2008-04-02 18:39:40

He made 5 starts last fall and had a 2.57 ERA. That’ doesn’t sound DONE to me. Are you saying he got worse over the winter?

I don’t think he’s done.

 
Comment by RIPmurph
2008-04-02 18:40:29

But on Pedro, I think the jury’s still out. Obviously, he’s not the same guy he was - I don’t think anybody thinks he is. But that doesn’t mean he’s done either. There is an in-between. But if you want to base your opinion on the first 3 innings last night, that’s your prerogative, Champ.

 
Comment by Wheelhouse19
2008-04-02 18:50:14

Maybe he’s not done…but its no good for our health, or the Mets health to linger on this, and count down the days till he returns.

Time to move on….win without him. They did it last year, they can do it this year. This isn’t a season ender.

Like I said….hitting is my concern, not pitching.

 
Comment by RIPmurph
2008-04-02 18:58:46

Oh, I agree that it can’t be harped on. You’ve always gotta move on, look forward. But they were counting on him as a #2, and the #5 spot is still up in the air. Moving Maine and Perez up in the rotation puts more pressure on them, and now you’ve got 2 open spots. So the idea that his going down is no big deal and the Mets shouldn’t be concerned with the pitching just isn’t true, IMO. I agree with you that the lineup is a problem, and I also think the pithing is a problem as well. They need another solid arm - a proven #3 type guy - to step into this rotation. I don’t know where he’s going to come from though.

 
Comment by squad
2008-04-02 19:00:08

The same Sosa who can’t get lefties out?

 
Comment by Felonious Monk
2008-04-03 09:05:30

Yes. He made 5 starts last season.

That’s kind of the POINT!!

 
 
 
Comment by NYMetz6986
2008-04-02 18:36:47

so i guess you know more than virtually every expert that saw him pitch this spring…

 
Comment by hyperion4
2008-04-02 18:37:54

I watched the game and I thought Pedro’s main problem was location. After the first inning, he actually threw a few pitches at 89-90. He had a pretty easy third inning and got the first out in the fourth before being removed. I really didn’t find myself too concerned about how he was pitching.

I’m more concerned about David Wright’s throwing than Pedro’s . . .

Comment by NYMetz6986
2008-04-02 18:48:14

yeah…he didnt have his changeup which is his best pitch and he had it a week ago in st and thats why i wasnt gonna be worried…and he started to get it toward the 3rd and his curve was looking really good…and he was getting it up to 90 at times…so im pretty sure hes not done…and its not so much losing pedro as it is replacing him in the roation with someone whos bad…hopefully well see him in mid-may.

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Comment by Wheelhouse19
2008-04-02 18:30:30

If there is one guy you want to count down the days till his return….let it be Alou. At least we know he still rakes.

And we all know this lineup can use some more pop.
That is the concern. Not starting pitching.

 
Comment by big shea
2008-04-02 18:34:11

Burkhardt just said no tear. Mild strain, 4-6 weeks

Comment by Wheelhouse19
2008-04-02 18:37:30

Translation: See you after the All Star Break.

Comment by ginsengbomb
2008-04-02 19:01:43

Dude, are you trolling or is anything positive relating to Pedro Martinez impossible for you to accept? You’re throwing out a ton of positive recent information about his pitching abilities based on 3.1 innings (and really just 2 innings, seeing as the final 1.1 were good), and now you’re taking “mild strain, 4-6 weeks” and translating it into “major strain, 3.5 months.”

Either way, you’re right about one thing — the team is going to be fine without him. With a good Pedro, the team probably dominates all the way through the season. Without any Pedro, the team probably still wins the division but it’s more of a battle. The pitching’s still the class of the NL East (at least) without him.

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