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Notes: Pre-Game News and Notes from Pittsburgh

by Matthew Cerrone on June 4th, 2009 at 11:29 am

Carlos Beltran will start in center field today and bat third.

Alex Cora will leadoff and play shortstop, followed in order by Luis Castillo, Beltran, Gary Sheffield in right field, David Wright, Daniel Murphy, Fernando Martinez in left field, Omir Santos and Mike Pelfrey.

Prior to the game, Jerry Manuel told reporters he expects Ryan Church to return to the team on Sunday.

Manuel said Martinez essentially controls his own fate, and how performs over the next few days will determine whether he remains on the roster.

the Mets have always been honest, basically saying, martinez will be wherever he’ll get the most at bats… if he’s hitting, and he can play everyday, he’ll be on the big league club… if he’s not hitting, or he’s gonna ride the bench, he’ll instead go back to Triple-A so he can play everyday… this makes sense

In his last 15 at bats, Martinez is has four hits, including two doubles, two RBI and two stolen bases.

For other pre-game information, check out blogs for the Daily News, Newsday, New York Post, Star-Ledger and the Bergen Record.