It did not take Pedro Martinez long to fan the flames of New York talk radio. Martinez was quoted today saying, "what ever happens on the field, if I am on the field, then you guys (the writers) will have something to write about."

Pedro Martinez can give Nostradamus or the National Enquirer's Jeanne Dixon a run for their money.

From the looks of the way Pedro grabbed at his hamstring in the fourth inning of Tuesday night's start, it was eerily similar to what happened to the New York Yankees' Phil Hughes last season in Texas. Hughes had carried a no-hitter into the 7th inning of that May 1 start when he threw a pitch and popped the hamstring on his lead/landing leg.

I watched the Hughes video again and it was exactly the same as Pedro's injury. Both pitchers landing legs shook violently after the pitch was released. In fact, the pants legs of both players rippled in such a way it looked like the pant leg was being blown by a strong breeze.

But, what it really was in Hughes (and likely Pedro's) case was the ripping of the hamstring. Although Hughes missed three months, and did not return until August 4, only two months were due to the hamstring injury. While rehabbing the hamstring, Hughes had twisted his ankle, further extending his time off.

But Hughes was a 21 year old healthy young player, while Pedro is 36 years old and coming off major shoulder surgery. Youngsters such as Hughes tend to heal a little better and quicker than older players. Plus, Pedro does not need all this time off from throwing a baseball to build up his shoulder strength. At this point in the pitching process, Pedro's shoulder needs more throwing, not less. But, if Pedro's hamstring is torn, he will not be able to throw a ball for several months.

If Pedro is out any extended time, the rehab process for this injury is tricky because of Pedro's recent shoulder problems. The Mets need to make sure his leg is 100% before he starts throwing at all; fearing any weakness in his legs could lead to aggravating the prior shoulder injury. When a pitcher does not use the legs in the proper manner while throwing, it puts more of a strain on the pitchers shoulder.

In any event, Pedro is likely out a couple months with a torn hamstring. This is not an easy injury to come back quickly, especially when the athlete is 36 years old.

The Mets already had a lack of depth in quality starting pitching. The top four of Santana, Martinez, Maine and Perez were really good, and could have gone for at least 60 wins combined. But, now the Mets are in a position to where they need former number 1 pick Mike Pelfrey to step up and to hasten Orlando Hernandez' return from his foot problems.

That is why you can never have enough pitching and why the Los Angeles Angels appear to be geniuses in trading for the White Sox' Jon Garland. With the Angels top two starters from last season, John Lackey and Kelvim Escobar, out for extended periods of time, Garland is a savior on that pitching staff. And the Angels have a deep farm system to draw from.

If both Pelfrey and Hernandez do not perform well and the Mets begin to struggle, will Omar Minaya go to his farm system for a youngster like Jonathan Niese or Robert Parnell? Both young pitchers looked good this spring, but they are starting the season at Double A Binghamton. Or will Omar dangle the prodigal son, Fernando Martinez, to Oakland for the likes of a Joe Blanton or Rich Harden?

Whatever Omar decides, I am sure Billy Beane is smiling.

Also smiling is GM Bill Smith of the Minnesota Twins. Not becasue of the Santana trade but now he might have another crack at Omar.

Omar likes to trade for veterans he knows and likes. He has traded for Ryan Church twice (once with Montreal and now with the Mets) and has signed LHP Pedro Feliciano several times, too. Also, new LF Angel Pagan is in his second stint as a Met. Omar likes to recycle his type of guys. When he was Montreal GM, Omar once traded for Livan Hernandez, and seems to have an affinity for the Hernandez brothers. I am confident that Livan will be available near the trade deadline for some team needing a starting pitcher, but the Mets need him to fill those innings now.

Will Twins GM Bill Smith get a second chance at dealing with Omar and will Smith finally get Pelfrey and/or Martinez from the Mets?