PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (AP) -Pedro Martinez struggled in his first rehab start for Class A St. Lucie on Wednesday, giving up five runs and six hits in three innings as he attempts to return to the Mets’ rotation after offseason shoulder surgery.
Martinez struck out five against the Lakeland Flying Tigers at Tradition Field, the spring training home of the Mets. He threw 44 of his 63 pitches for strikes and did not walk a batter, but was hit hard when he missed.
Lakeland center fielder Justin Justice homered to right in the second inning, and Deik Scram hit a solo shot in the third.
The 35-year-old Martinez had his rotator cuff repaired in October and has been working toward a return all season. The right-hander first threw to batters on June 26.
The three-time Cy Young winner was scheduled to make a rehab start last Wednesday, but it was rained out and he instead threw a 5 1-3 innings of a simulated game against minor leaguers the following day.
In the simulation, Martinez gave up two runs – one earned – and four hits against players from St. Lucie and the Gulf Coast League Mets. In 67 pitches, he struck out three, walked none and hit a batter.
The Mets have not announced where or when Martinez will make his next start.
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