Daddy's Home

Pedro Martinez is starting against the Reds on Monday. He’s restricted to 75 pitches (about 5 innings) and 35 pitches per inning, but he’s starting a game sooner than any previous pitcher who’s undergone rotator-cuff surgery. Whether or not he pitches on Monday like the Pedro of yore is almost inconsequential—it’ll be his first outing against major league hitting in almost a year, and in many ways it’s a rehab start in and of itself—but beyond his pitching prowess, Pedro brings other important gifts to the team. His contribution to the feeling of camaraderie in the clubhouse, to the education of the younger pitchers, and to the fight of the team as a whole cannot be overlooked. I’m sure I’m just echoing the feelings of his teammates when I say that I’m really glad Pedro is back.

Martinez has been in the dugout for three games this year—once in Florida early in the season, and for the two just played in Atlanta. The Mets have won all three games. I don’t expect that there’s some magic there, but I also don’t think it’s a coincidence.