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Martinez makes much-anticipated return as Mets face Reds

Sep 3, 2007 - 2:54 PM NY Mets (76-60) at Cincinnati (62-75) 1:15 pm EDT

CINCINNATI (Ticker) - Pedro Martinez missed the New York Mets' playoff run last season. On Monday, he takes the mound just in time to be a key member of the next.

Martinez takes the mound for the first time in 11 months when the Mets open a three-game series at the Cincinnati Reds.

Due to offseason shoulder surgery, Martinez (NR) has not pitched since last September 27. Without him, New York had a disappointing postseason, losing to the St. Louis Cardinals in Game Seven of the National League Championship Series.

After four rehab starts in which he got significantly better as he went along, the righthander will hope to boost New York's run to the National League East Division crown and a better showing in the playoffs.

The Mets (75-60) recorded a three-game sweep of the Atlanta Braves over the weekend and now hold a four-game lead over the Philadelphia Phillies (72-64) in the NL East. Tom Glavine threw six effective innings and David Wright hit a go-ahead, two-run homer in a 3-2 win on Sunday.

Martinez, who posted a 15.43 ERA over his last four starts of 2006 before undergoing the knife on October 5, will be on a 75-pitch limit.

Normal recovery time for this type of surgery is at least a year, but Martinez felt good after his bullpen session on Friday and was given medical clearance.

"Nobody has been able to climb that big mountain," Martinez told the team's web site. "I'm happy to give it a try."

Martinez faces a tough opponent in Aaron Harang (14-3, 3.51), who is coming off of a two-hit shutout in an 8-0 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday. The righthander is unbeaten in his last five starts, and will try and help the Reds snap a three-game skid.