N.Y. Observer: Megdal: Pedro Versus the ‘Rust’

And no...this has nothing to do with “The Big Ball Orchard in the South Bronx.”

Martinez sometimes appears incapable of getting major league hitters out, particularly early in games—witness his two home runs Wednesday, or the four runs on five hits he gave up to the Cardinals in the first inning on July 2. But he managed, in both games, to give up next-to-nothing over the remaining innings of his start.

Is he merely rusty, and the low innings total—he missed two months from April to June with a hamstring injury—will allow him to pitch more effectively from now until the end of the season? Or is his body betraying him, not only with various ailments, but for the first time, keeping him from the pinpoint command that made him a legend? Even Pedro doesn’t know what to expect from himself.

“No, I can’t really predict,” Martinez said. “Let’s be realistic. Right now, I can’t tell you—I’ve pitched, what, twice in a month? What I can tell you is that I felt great today. I haven’t pitched like I need to pitch. I will try to stay healthy, and keep making adjustments. I have two months to get better and keep the team in the fight. I will get better, and I think I can take care of it.”