Injured Martinez May Skip Classic

Pedro Martinez acknowledged Saturday that his ailing toe might prevent him from pitching for the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic.

“It depends on my health and how comfortable I feel here and how quickly I can get on a mound,” the New York Met ace said after the team’s first spring training workout at Port St. Lucie, Fla.

“Obviously, I’m a little bit behind, but I would love to represent my country and actually be part of it even if it’s not in the first round ... and to try to be healthy enough to try to help my country win it.”

The injury, which makes it painful for Martinez to bend his big toe as he pushes off the pitching rubber with his right foot, caused him to pass up his last two scheduled starts last season.

Martinez, 34, played catch several times during the week but hasn’t thrown from a mound since September -- and there is no timetable for when he might do so. That remains up to him.

“I think he’ll probably throw off the mound soon,” Manager Willie Randolph said. “Obviously, he’s going to have to get off the mound sometime. I just can’t tell you exactly when.”

Martinez wasn’t the only Met pitcher unable to throw from a mound on the first day of camp. Closer Billy Wagner became queasy during drills and went home because of a stomach virus.

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Mark Buehrle was selected the opening-day starter when the World Series-champion Chicago White Sox play the Cleveland Indians on April 2. It’s the fifth consecutive season he has been given the assignment.

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Pitcher Josh Hancock was released by the Cincinnati Reds a day into spring training after he reported to camp overweight.

Manager Jerry Narron said Hancock, whose weight is listed at 207 pounds, reported 17 pounds too heavy.

The 27-year-old right-hander sat out most of last season because of a groin injury suffered during spring training.

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Texas Ranger hitting coach Rudy Jaramillo said he has prostate cancer but plans to be in the dugout on opening day.

Jaramillo, 55, said he would remain with the team until he undergoes surgery.