Martinez, Valdes Stay on Schedule

All eyes were on the mound as Todd Hollandsworth dug in at the plate Wednesday at Dodger Stadium.

The tension was obvious as the right-hander went into his windup and whipped a fastball across the plate.

A critical moment in the Dodger-Met game?

No, this was bigger than that.

The right-hander was Ramon Martinez, pitching a simulated game against his teammates Wednesday afternoon in front of an empty house hours before the Dodger-Met game. It was Martinez’ first work against live hitters since he was sidelined in mid-June because of a small tear in the rotator cuff on his throwing shoulder.

Martinez and Ismael Valdes, who threw before him Wednesday, reported no problems, no pain and no reason why they shouldn’t remain on schedule to return to the starting rotation after each threw about 45 pitches.

Valdes, who has been out since straining his left hamstring July 5, is expected to take his regular turn in the rotation in five days.

Martinez’ return will take a little longer. He threw at full velocity but was a little wild. Martinez probably will throw another simulated game and will need a rehabilitation assignment before he is back in the rotation.

“It has been a long time,” Martinez said with a big smile when he was finished working. “When I faced the first hitter, it felt like I had not faced one for a year.

“But there was no pain, thank God. It felt nice and comfortable.”

Martinez said the wildness did not concern him.

“I was throwing 100%,” he said. “I did not worry about where the ball landed. Right now, the wildness doesn’t matter.”

Of the greatest concern to the Dodgers as far as Valdes was concerned was his ability to field his position coming off the injury to his leg. But Valdes showed no loss of mobility.

“I was a little afraid about covering first base,” Valdes said. “But I had no problem.”

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The trading deadline without waivers is next Thursday, but don’t expect much activity involving the Dodgers.

“Most calls I’ve received,” Executive Vice President Fred Claire said, “have to do with pitching. We don’t have any interest in trading our pitching.”

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The Dodgers 65 Roses Club will hold its 10th annual Dodgers Family Fashion Show Saturday at the House of Blues. It starts with a silent auction at 11 a.m., followed by a luncheon and the fashion show, which features the players and their families. The 65 Roses Club has raised approximately $650,000 for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

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TONIGHT’S GAME

DODGERS’ PEDRO ASTACIO (6-7, 4.15 ERA) vs. METS’ RICK REED (7-4, 2.94 ERA)

Dodger Stadium, 7 p.m.

Radio--KABC (790), KWKW (1330).

* Update: Astacio has been plagued by inconsistency this season. He lost seven in a row at one point, had an ugly, public confrontation with Manager Bill Russell, and even reached the point where his spot in the rotation was shaky. But last Saturday, facing the Atlanta Braves, a team he was 0-9 against, Astacio responded with one of his most solid performances of the year, holding the Braves to one run in 7 1/3 innings in a 4-1 victory. Now Astacio faces a team against whom he is 2-0 with a 1.80 ERA this season. The Mets counter with Reed, who is 0-1 against the Dodgers this season with a 1.64 ERA.