Pedro Martinez’s second rehab start got off to a perfect start on Tuesday, as he threw three perfect innings in at Tradition Field in Port St. Lucie, Florida. The fourth inning, however, was not exactly what he was looking for.

After cruising through the lineup once, Martinez was roughed up in the fourth inning, throwing 29 pitches and surrendering a 3-run homer. Pedro did not return for the fifth inning, as the Mets squad hit for nearly a half hour, so he threw 20 more pitches in the bullpen.

Pedro said he felt great and hinted that he was ready to head up to the show after just one more rehab start, but later conceded that three more starts was more likely. Part of the reason that he said he is struggling in Class ‘A’ ball is that his pitches are now tailored to get major league hitters out, not rookies. Martinez said there have been mix-ups with the catcher as well, that contribute to his struggles.

Martinez feels that being around the older guys like Glavine, El Duque and John Maine will help him jump start his pitching, and possibly be what he needs to elevate himself back to his top gear.

Pedro hit 88 mph on the radar gun Tuesday, but swears the gun was wrong. He said he hit 90, because he just knows.

Realistically, Pedro could be back up in the bigs by the first week of September. As much as he is claiming that he is ready to go up and work the rest out in New York, he will likely make his next three starts in the minors.

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