FanNation

Pedro Martinez was removed from his start against the Rockies on Saturday because of stiffness in his right shoulder. The Mets physically troubled pitcher was removed after pitching four innings.

Martinez had thrown 66 pitches in his ninth start, his eighth since his extended assignment to the disabled list. He had walked three batters, struck out three and allowed one hit, a single in the fourth inning by Brad Hawpe.

He had returned to active duty June 3. He had been removed from his first start of the season, April 1, because he had strained his left hamstring. That start was merely his 13th since July 27, 2006. He has averaged merely 4.94 innings per start since that date.

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