NEW YORK -- Pedro Martinez rejoined the Mets on Monday, and though there is still no immediate timetable for his return to the mound, the team is pleased with the ace's progress and expects him back later this month.
Martinez, 34, has been on the disabled list since mid-August with a minor strain in his right calf, and had spent time at the team's Spring Training complex in Port St. Lucie, Fla.
He threw a 38-pitch side session over the weekend in Florida, the first time he had thrown since leaving an Aug. 14 start at Philadelphia after just one inning.
"Everything's going the way we hoped they would go, based on the medical reports we have," Mets general manager Omar Minaya said. "He's throwing, he's on the mound, he's throwing well. He says he's feeling good. We have to go on that."
Martinez was unavailable for comment before Monday's game against the Atlanta Braves but was spotted in the dugout prior to first pitch. Manager Willie Randolph said that he would guess the right-hander would return in mid-September.
"A lot of it depends on how he feels," Randolph said. "The main thing is that he's making steady progress, building up his pitch count [and the] volume of his count."
Minaya and Randolph both said they believed Martinez could pitch as many as three games in September before the postseason, based upon the Mets' schedule and Martinez's projected progress.
Randolph described Martinez as being in "great spirits" and noted that Martinez's schedule -- as it has been for much of the season -- remains flexible. The three-time Cy Young Award winner will alternate between throwing long-toss, side sessions and eventually simulated games as he works his way back to game action.
"The good part about it is that he's feeling good, he's feeling strong," Randolph said. "He's continuing to long-toss, and before he gets out there, he'll do a simulated game. Then we'll give him the ball and let him go."
Good reports: Carlos Beltran was in the outfield at Shea Stadium early Monday afternoon taking part in a clinic with area children, so there was little concern about the left knee he bruised making a spectacular game-saving catch Saturday in Houston.
Nevertheless, Beltran underwent precautionary MRIs at the Hospital for Special Surgery in Manhattan on Monday. Minaya said the Mets were pleased with the preliminary results, although one more physician was expected to give a final opinion.
Randolph expressed confidence that Beltran would soon return to the lineup soon, though he noted the Mets' large lead in the National League East provides an opportunity to allow Beltran to take his time.
"I'm sure he's going to be fine," Randolph said. "He'll get back out there, take a few ground balls and maybe swing the bat if he feels like it. He'll let me know when he's ready to play."
Late scratch: Cliff Floyd was in the original lineup for Monday's game, but was replaced after his left Achilles' tendon became problematic. Michael Tucker replaced Floyd in left field, with Shawn Green moving up in the lineup from No. 7 to No. 6.
"My understanding is that he felt some soreness on the foot area," Minaya said. "I believe we wanted to be cautious with him. Sometimes the flight back from Houston can cause some soreness."
Back in the N.Y. groove: David Wright was back in the lineup Monday after taking off the final game of the series in Houston. He said he understood why Randolph issued him the day to rest, but also said he couldn't see himself adjusting to life on the bench anytime soon.
"It's tough to sit and watch when you're used to being a part of it," said Wright, who described himself as the Mets' "head cheerleader" for Sunday.
Still, Wright said he was a far tamer observer than energetic shortstop Jose Reyes, who also sat out one day over the weekend. Randolph said in Houston that he wanted to keep Reyes as far away on the bench as possible.
"He's the worst," Wright said, jokingly. "He's so loud and he jumps around. He's actually great for that. People are trying to concentrate and he's there yelling and screaming. Guys were telling him to go into the clubhouse."
Reinforcements on the way: After Monday's game, the Mets announced that they plan to recall outfielder Lastings Milledge, left-hander Dave Williams and right-hander Brian Bannister from Triple-A Norfolk of the International League. In addition, the Mets will recall right-hander Philip Humber from Double-A Binghamton of the Eastern League.
The Mets will also purchase the contracts of catcher Kelly Stinnett and outfielder Ricky Ledee from Norfolk. The Mets plan to place right-hander Steve Schmoll (right hamstring) on the 60-day disabled list.
Coming up: The Mets and Braves play Game 2 of their three-game series on Tuesday. Left-hander Dave Williams (4-3, 6.10) is scheduled to return from Triple-A Norfolk, which concluded its season on Monday, while right-hander John Smoltz (12-7, 3.60) is tabbed to start for Atlanta. First pitch is set for 7:10 p.m. ET.
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