PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- Pedro Martinez's first rehabilitation start was rained out, so he will throw a simulated game of 45 pitches against hitters from the Mets' Gulf Coast League team on Thursday.
Martinez had been slated to pitch Wednesday night for the St. Lucie Mets against the Brevard County Manatees.
"The plan is to try to simulate as close as possible to a real game," Mets assistant general manager John Ricco said.
Martinez, a three-time Cy Young Award winner, had rotator cuff surgery last Oct. 5 and threw to batters on June 26 for the first time after the operation. The 35-year-old right-hander likely will be scheduled for a minor league rehab start early next week.
New York hopes to have him back in its rotation next month.
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