NL Beat | Mets throwing Martinez back in the rotation

Pedro Martinez figures the New York Mets would be in much better shape if he had been around more often this season.

The three-time Cy Young Award winner rejoined the Mets Friday and is scheduled to return to the mound Tuesday night in San Francisco for his second start of the year. He has been on the disabled list since straining his left hamstring on April 1.

Martinez said if he'd been healthy and pitching, the Mets' clubhouse "would have been a lot looser.

"Being a veteran and being as loose as I am, and being so noisy every day and so loud, I think that would have helped my teammates keep their cool."

New York is 26-27 after Friday's loss to Los Angeles.

As the club was slumping this month, there was speculation that manager Willie Randolph would be fired. Randolph met with ownership Monday and kept his job — at least for now.

"It's been really difficult, actually seeing my teammates struggle and seeing the team not doing so well and not being able to do anything," Martinez said.

The 36-year-old right-hander, in the final season of a four-year contract, originally planned to join the team last week in Atlanta, but he returned home to the Dominican Republic to be with his ailing father, Pablo Jaime, who has a form of brain cancer.

"He's stable. He's probably not going to get much better than he is right now," Martinez said.

Atlanta: OF Mark Kotsay was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a strained lower back.

Chicago: RHP Jim Brower was acquired from Cincinnati for cash. He was 0-1 with a 2.88 earned-run average and two saves in 17 relief appearances for AAA Louisville.

Cincinnati: Rookie OF Jay Bruce, who had three hits off Atlanta LHP Tom Glavine, was born the same year Glavine broke into the majors, 1987.

Colorado: LHP Glendon Rusch was called up from AAA Colorado Springs to start today against the Cubs. The former Shorecrest High School pitcher, 33, has pitched for five major-league teams, including the Cubs.

Florida: SS Hanley Ramirez left with a bruised thumb in the fifth inning of the game against the Phillies.

New York: SS Jose Reyes extended his hitting streak to 15 games. He has reached base in 30 consecutive games.

Philadelphia: C Chris Coste, 35, who didn't reach the majors until two years ago, is batting .341 with five homers and 16 RBI in only 91 at-bats.

St. Louis: RHP Todd Wellemeyer (6-1) won his career-best fourth straight decision and doubled his victory total from last season by beating Pittsburgh.

San Francisco: OF Dan Ortmeier was placed on the 15-day DL with a broken left middle finger.

Washington: C Jesus Flores left the game at Arizona after twice being hit in the head by foul tips.

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