Pedro Martinez heads home after father dies
Mets pitcher's dad, 79, had been battling cancer for more than year
 | New York Mets' Pedro Martinez hasn’t pitched since leaving his July 12 start with a sore shoulder and tightness in his groin. |
Julie Jacobson / AP |
 | Slide show |
 | more photos |
 | Slideshow |
 | The Expert's All-Stars Tony DeMarco breaks down his picks for the starting lineups of both MLB All-Star teams. more photos |
 | Video: Baseball from NBC Sports |
 Getty Images Manny wants to move on from suspension July 4: After returning from a 50-game suspension, Manny Ramirez says he wants to leave the past in the past. |
SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic - New York Mets pitcher Pedro Martinez arrived in the Dominican Republic on Thursday following the death of his father.
Martinez’s father, Pablo Jaime, died Wednesday at age 79 after battling a form of brain cancer for more than a year. Martinez had gone home just before the All-Star break to be with his father.
Martinez said he was thankful to his fans for their outpouring of support following his father’s death in the family’s Caribbean homeland.
“My father was a great support to me from the beginning of my career,” Martinez said.
Jaime was also the father of former major league pitcher Ramon Martinez.
Pedro Martinez, who returned home to help with funeral arrangements, had been scheduled to pitch Friday night against St. Louis. Instead, Mike Pelfrey will start for the Mets.
The three-time Cy Young Award winner hasn’t pitched since leaving his July 12 start with a sore shoulder and tightness in his groin.
- Discuss Story On Newsvine
-
Rate Story:
LowHigh - Instant Message
Sponsored links