On the Mets beat

I have to admit, I was skeptical about Pedro Martinez's stomach ailment when the Mets said he would be a no-go for his scheduled Tuesday start in Cincinnati. But after seeing him this morning in the cramped visitors clubhouse at Wrigley Field, it was obvious that Martinez had not been feeling well. Martinez figured he had lost three pounds since he first fell ill last Tuesday after eating some bad chicken in the Dominican Republic, and only now is he starting to hold down solid food.

The bottom line is that Martinez hopes to at least throw from a mound at some point this weekend, but he's starting to look doubtful for that three-game series against the Reds. The Mets already will use Mike Pelfrey for Tuesday, with Trachsel to follow Wednesday. If Martinez can't go -- and there's really no reason he should at this point -- then Tom Glavine will replace him for Thursday's finale in Cincinnati.

The good news is that Martinez's hip has responded favorably to the extended rest, but he won't know for sure until he tests it from the mound.