Pedro to miss postseason

[Astro]

Just heard on ESPN Pedro will miss the entire postseason...

Link coming soon

[SamtheBravesFan]

Just heard on ESPN Pedro will miss the entire postseason...

Link coming soon

I'm not the least bit surprised. I sniff an NLDS upset, and it smells good! :coffee

[STLCards2]

If this is true, the NL postseason is wide-open. It is hard to believe that a team like St. Louis, Houston, L.A. or Philadelphia could go to the World Series.

[Astro]

El Duque, Glavine to start first two NLDS games
Associated Press

ATLANTA -- The New York Mets managed to win their first NL East title since 1988 with Pedro Martinez battling injuries all season.

Pedro Martinez
Starting Pitcher
New York Mets

Profile
2006 SEASON STATISTICS
GM W L BB K ERA
23 9 8 39 137 4.48

They will have to show that same resiliency in the postseason.

The Mets announced Thursday that the three-time Cy Young Award winner will miss the entire postseason with a left calf injury. The Mets had hoped to go with Martinez in Game 1 of the National League Division Series but will now use Orlando Hernandez instead.

Mets manager Willie Randolph said Thursday Tom Glavine gets the start in Game 2 of the best-of-five series. Martinez headed back to New York on Thursday to get evaluated by team doctors.

"It's taken a lot away from me: my confidence and the location of my pitches," Martinez said before he left Atlanta. "When you don't have the legs to push off and create velocity and locate your pitches, you're in trouble. And I can't locate right now."

Randolph hasn't decided whether to drop Martinez from the 25-man roster for the opening round of the playoffs but did say his ace would not be moved to the bullpen.

"The only way Pedro will be on the roster is if we're sure he can start for us," Randolph said. "We won't go in saying, 'Maybe he can.' Any uncertainty, he won't be on the roster."

Martinez (9-8) has lost four straight starts -- the first when his calf began hurting, the last three since coming off a monthlong stint on the disabled list. He looked downright awful against the Atlanta Braves on Wednesday night, giving up eight hits, seven runs and two homers in 2 2/3 innings.

"He couldn't command his pitches," said Atlanta catcher Brian McCann, who hit the first of consecutive homers off Martinez in the third. "He was getting behind in the count."

Martinez conceded that it would be tougher for the Mets to advance in the playoffs without him, though they've made it this far without a big contribution from their top starter. He was bothered in spring training by a sore toe, went on the DL at midseason with an ailing hip and fell short of 10 wins for only the second time in his 14-year career.

"When I'm out or hurting, obviously we're not going to do as good," Martinez said. "Anytime you lose a No. 1 pitcher, one of your five starters, it's going to hurt you a little bit. But these guys are professionals. They know how to do things. They've done really, really well without me. I hope they can do that again and pick me up during the time I'm limited or away."

The Mets wrapped up the NL East title with nearly two weeks left in the regular season and looked to be a strong favorite to reach the World Series from a league that will have no other playoff team with 90 wins.

But with Martinez looking doubtful, New York would appear to have one glaring weakness: starting pitching. Beyond Hernandez (10-11 going into a start Thursday night) and Glavine (14-7), the other potential starters are Steve Trachsel, whose 15 wins are mitigated by an ERA of nearly 5.00, and six-game winner John Maine, a rookie.

Martinez's teammates aren't giving up on their ace making a sudden recovery in time for the playoffs, though they're also preparing for the alternative.

"I don't think not having Pedro means we can't win," Glavine said. "But there's no question your biggest concern -- ever -- going into a postseason is if you have all your guys healthy. And that's not going to be the case for us. We have to deal with it."

Martinez knew he wouldn't be pitching Game 1 of the playoffs after posting a 16.97 ERA over his last four starts, giving up 22 hits and 20 earned runs in 11 2/3 innings.

"Obviously, the other guys are in better shape than I am right now," he said. "Everybody can see that. I think it would be a bad decision for Willie to put me out there the way I look now."

When Martinez first strained his calf muscle, he didn't think it was that big a deal. Now he knows better.

"It affects my shoulder, it affects my legs, it affects my back. It affects everything, really," he said. "Those legs are everything. Without them, it's impossible to get the result you want."

Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2606427

[DodgerBlue81]

If this is true, the NL postseason is wide-open. It is hard to believe that a team like St. Louis, Houston, L.A. or Philadelphia could go to the World Series.

or San Diego

[Elvis]

If this is true, the NL postseason is wide-open. It is hard to believe that a team like...L.A....could go to the World Series.

Yep - just like another year I remember... :)

knock on wood:rolleyes:

[DodgerBlue81]

While a huge blow to the Mets, I still think they will win the NL. Even without Pedro they're still better than the other teams. Although an upset is now more likely.

[Astro]

While a huge blow to the Mets, I still think they will win the NL. Even without Pedro they're still better than the other teams. Although an upset is now more likely.
I dont know, if Houston makes it they will have an extreme amount of momentum

[efin98]

They have done well without him for a chunk of the year, why would they all of a sudden turn up lame without him in the post season???

Frankly I think you guys are selling the Mets short. They have the best record in the NL for a reason- it ain't just Pedro. Their offense can compensate and their pitching isn't something to slouch at. Just watch.

[Ubiquitous]

I think it is because the playoffs are a series of short series not 162 games long. While the NL may not be the greatest this year the Mets will have to play 2 of the best teams in the NL to get to the Series and then beat the best team the AL has to offer. It isn't like they get to coast through a series against the Pirates and Cubs.

In a short series Pedro as your #1, getting 2 starts a series puts you in a great position. Now that dominant starter is gone. Doesn't mean they can't win but seriously hampers their ability to do so.

[hudsonharden]

This hurts them, but they NL is so anemic that I'd say they still have a good shot. Their offense more than makes up for their now average pitching.

[ESPNFan]

Well this at least vindicates the Red Sox brain trust in not resigning Petey.
Don't get me wrong I never wished him Ill will, but you could almost see this type of thing on the horizon in his last few years at Fenway. Its probably killing him too because he is such a competitor as well.

Here is wishing he is back to his old wily self next season.

[Astro]

Well this at least vindicates the Red Sox brain trust in not resigning Petey.
Don't get me wrong I never wished him Ill will, but you could almost see this type of thing on the horizon in his last few years at Fenway. Its probably killing him too because he is such a competitor as well.

Here is wishing he is back to his old wily self next season.
Then again, maybe they would have made the playoffs with Pedro... I'd rather make the playoffs and have Pedro hurt for them, than miss them entirely without him

[ESPNFan]

Then again, maybe they would have made the playoffs with Pedro... I'd rather make the playoffs and have Pedro hurt for them, than miss them entirely without him

At the price Petey got from the Mets our staff would have short handed all year with the next two years being in question as well. Pedro when he is healthy is still a good pitcher but not a 15 million dollar pitcher and he is a health risk.

[STLCards2]

or San Diego

I excluded San Diego, because of the teams I mentioned, I think it is more likely San Diego would go to the WS.

[Ubiquitous]

This doesn't vindicate the Red Sox, just as last year didn't prove the Mets were right. Secondly this is a calf injury, it isn't an arm or shoulder injury. Nor is it like this is an recurring injury. He got injured, he will heal, and then he will pitch. This isn't tommy john surgery or a torn rotator cuff.

Signing him would have hampered the Red Sox? You mean they wouldn't have traded for Mike Lowell and Josh Beckett if they had signed Pedro? I don't see that hurting the Red Sox. Or maybe they don't sign Julian Tavarez?

[Jose Reyes]

Pedro has 9 wins this year. He has not been a big part of the Mets' great season at all and I don't really see how this makes the Mets more vulnerable in the playoffs. Pedro has missed most of the season and when he's been healthy he has been mediocre. They were the best team in the NL without him and they can do fine in the playoffs without him. In a way this may not turn out so bad for the Mets because it gives John Maine a spot in the playoff rotation. He will be a household name by the end of October, just watch.

[Astro]

Pedro has 9 wins this year. He has not been a big part of the Mets' great season at all and I don't really see how this makes the Mets more vulnerable in the playoffs. Pedro has missed most of the season and when he's been healthy he has been mediocre. They were the best team in the NL without him and they can do fine in the playoffs without him. In a way this may not turn out so bad for the Mets because it gives John Maine a spot in the playoff rotation. He will be a household name by the end of October, just watch.
Because wins are an accurate stat.............. not so much

His WHIP is still 1.11, and he is easily the Mets' best starting pitcher... He has only missed about 8 or 9 starts this season, that is far from "most of the season"

And no, John Maine will not be a household name by the end of October, just watch

[Zito75]

Tough break for the Mets... Then again, Pedro hasn't exactly been lights out the past couple months either.

[hudsonharden]

Well you can't blame the Sports Illustrated Curse... they featured David Wright, Carlos Beltran, Paul Lo Duca, Carlos Delgado, and Jose Reyes on their cover paying homage to the Mets this year.

[YankeeDJW]

I agree that it does hurt the Mets but I still think they'll go to the World Series and lose to whatever AL team they play (Twins or Yanks, in my opinion). Yes, they do have the best record in the NL, but the fourth best over all. You have to keep in mind also that Pedro has been far from dominant in his recent outings. It may not hurt their chances as much as it appears.

[overhandgas53]

Pedro Martinez is out for the rest of the season with a calf injury. Can he play in the postseason or is he gone until 2007. I hope he comes back, or else the Mets have a disadvantage without their ace. This means our old friends Glavine and Trachsel have to pitch great.

We also need help from our young/new pitchers like Bannister and Williams. Also, Heilman needs to get it together somehow and help this ballclub win some games before the regular season is over just to get the Mets back into a winning streak. Darren Oliver and Wagner have to keep pitching great and make it happen in the playoffs.
GOOD LUCK METS! :waving

[KCGHOST]

Back break for the Mets. Wilpon has to be sweating bullets as this could easily become a career limiting if not ending situation.

[overhandgas53]

He's been getting injured a lot! First he had to miss the All-star gamee, and now this?

[SamtheBravesFan]

Why does losing Pedro hurt the Mets' chances?

One reason.

Steve Trachsel will have to start. That's a loss waiting to happen.

[Jose Reyes]

Because wins are an accurate stat.............. not so much

His WHIP is still 1.11, and he is easily the Mets' best starting pitcher... He has only missed about 8 or 9 starts this season, that is far from "most of the season"

And no, John Maine will not be a household name by the end of October, just watch

You didn't say a single worthwhile thing in this entire post. Pedro has been bad this year and has not contributed much to the team with his performance. El Duque and Glavine have been better than Pedro this year. And yes he has missed most of the year. I bet you've never even heard of John Maine.

[Captain Cold Nose]

You didn't say a single worthwhile thing in this entire post. Pedro has been bad this year and has not contributed much to the team with his performance. El Duque and Glavine have been better than Pedro this year. And yes he has missed most of the year. I bet you've never even heard of John Maine.
You can drop the attitude.
Wins are not an accurate indicator of pitching performance.
Not hearing of John Maine is not a character flaw.

[Richmond Hill Phoenix]

I agree. Wins don't mean anything (realtive to other stats). But I do agree with JR. I think John Maine will do well. If not in these playoffs, then next year.

[Jose Reyes]

Alright. My point was Pedro has been terrible this year ok? Just drop the whole thing with wins. We all agree he had a bad year.

[ESPNFan]

Pedro to have Rotator Cuff surgery.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2608613

Truely awful news for any Pedro and Baseball fans out there.

[Astro]

You didn't say a single worthwhile thing in this entire post. Pedro has been bad this year and has not contributed much to the team with his performance. El Duque and Glavine have been better than Pedro this year. And yes he has missed most of the year. I bet you've never even heard of John Maine.
Hahahaha, I bet you I know more about John Maine than you do, and I'm not even a Mets fan

John Maine is a mid-20s SP who worked in limited duty last season as a RP, he has no outstanding pitches, but has a mix of effective pitches, his fastball tops out around 94, and he has a good change up

He has put up pretty good numbers in the minors, but nothing that screams ACE, especially considering he is usually older than those he is playing against...

I could go on if you want

[Astro]

Alright. My point was Pedro has been terrible this year ok? Just drop the whole thing with wins. We all agree he had a bad year.
He has been terrible? Naive New York fans are fun... I mean the guy posts a WHIP of 1.11 and he is terrible, if you take all of the "terrible" players on New York teams, they could defeat the New York teams alone...

[Mariano_Rivera]

Pedro will be out for at least 8 months with a torn rotator cuff. If the Mets fail to win the WS and Pedro comes back and is shaky in '07 then you really have to wonder if he was worth all the money they gave him....

[Mariano_Rivera]

He has been terrible? Naive New York fans are fun... I mean the guy posts a WHIP of 1.11 and he is terrible, if you take all of the "terrible" players on New York teams, they could defeat the New York teams alone...
He's not the Pedro they wanted though. 8 pitching win shares this season, 36.3 GB%, 98 ERA+, an FIP of 3.97 and he's not even pitching in the playoffs. With Pedro the Mets are the obvious favorites in the weak NL but without him they are vulenerable.

[Jose Reyes]

Hahahaha, I bet you I know more about John Maine than you do, and I'm not even a Mets fan

John Maine is a mid-20s SP who worked in limited duty last season as a RP, he has no outstanding pitches, but has a mix of effective pitches, his fastball tops out around 94, and he has a good change up

He has put up pretty good numbers in the minors, but nothing that screams ACE, especially considering he is usually older than those he is playing against...

I could go on if you want

Alright Mr. Astro. By the way, John pitched a CG 4-hit shutout against your team. He has put up good numbers in the majors too. In 15 starts he's 6-5 with a 3.60 ERA and 1.13 WHIP.

[Astro]

Alright Mr. Astro. By the way, John pitched a CG 4-hit shutout against your team. He has put up good numbers in the majors too. In 15 starts he's 6-5 with a 3.60 ERA and 1.13 WHIP.
Ok... and to become a "household name" as you said, he would need to pretty much go undefeated in the playoffs, win every game he pitched in dominant fashion... that will not happen

John Maine could become a good #2 or #3 starter, but he isnt the next coming of Sandy Koufax as you want him to be

[Jose Reyes]

Ok... and to become a "household name" as you said, he would need to pretty much go undefeated in the playoffs, win every game he pitched in dominant fashion... that will not happen



It was a pretty bold statement on my part, but who knows. Maybe he will win every game in dominant fashion. We'll see...

[Richmond Hill Phoenix]

It was a pretty bold statement on my part, but who knows. Maybe he will win every game in dominant fashion. We'll see...

I see John Maine being a good pitcher next year.