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Pedro to miss first round WBC; BY JON HEYMAN AND DAVID LENNON, Newsday
Topic Started: Feb 23 2006, 03:37 PM (25 Views)
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PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- Pedro Martinez's lingering right big toe injury will keep him out of at least the opening-round games of the World Baseball Classic, Newsday has learned.

Martinez said yesterday he is hoping to join his Dominican team for later rounds "if everything goes perfectly."

"Without a doubt my country's people expect me to perform, but only if I'm healthy," Martinez told Newsday. "They know in the long run it's better to see me pitch every five days than not at all, even if it's the Classic."

Mets officials met Tuesday with officials from the Dominican team and are closely monitoring the situation involving their star pitcher. They say they are putting their "trust" in Martinez to make the prudent calls.

"We have full trust in Pedro," general manager Omar Minaya said. "I think he wants to play, and he's going to do everything he can to play. But he is very understanding of the bigger issues. We're confident he'll be OK as far as the season goes. He's not going to risk his career or his year for the sake of playing."

Interest in Martinez's participation is high in his homeland, where he is an icon. Martinez said he would "love to play," but he understands his importance to the Mets and stressed he will not do anything to risk further injury. He has been diagnosed with cartilage damage in the toe, the same injury that hampered him late in the 2004 and '05 seasons.

Martinez pointed out several steps remain before he's ready to pitch. "I'm optimistic, but I'm still trying to work my way through things," Martinez said. "Hopefully, my toe gives me the right signs. I need to work, and hopefully everything goes perfectly. If I'm not in position to help them, I don't want to mess it up."

After his long-toss session on the outfield grass yesterday at Tradition Field, Martinez said his toe is "improving." He said he hopes to throw off harder ground or the front slope of the mound by the weekend. However, he also said, "I can't put a timetable on it. My body reacts differently every day."

Martinez used plastic cleats for yesterday's sessions and is working his way up to his metal spikes, which have been modified by Nike to accommodate his injury.

The Dominican team, a WBC favorite, plays first-round games against Venezuela March 7 and vs. Italy March 9, in Orlando.

Stan Javier, general manager of the Dominican team, understands the uncertainty of the situation despite Martinez's strong desire to play. "Right now we have to wait and see how he feels," Javier said. "That's why it's so important to have the first week of spring training. He knows what he needs to do. He's been in the game a long time."
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