MLB

PEDRO PLANS TO USE WBC AS LAST AUDITION

Pedro Martinez’s plan is to pitch in the World Baseball Classic and reveal what he can still offer a major league team in 2009, The Post has learned.

Martinez is a free agent, but if the legendary ace doesn’t have a team by spring training, the WBC will act as his audition. He’ll represent the Dominican Republic, then decide what club to sign with either during or after the tournament.

“He wanted to use the opportunity of the WBC not only as an opportunity to play for the Dominican Republic, which he didn’t do last time,” agent Fernando Cuza told The Post, “but also as an opportunity to showcase himself, to demonstrate to teams what kind of condition he’s in right now.”

If the plan holds and Martinez isn’t signed by then, the revelation would certainly establish his WBC appearances as must-watch baseball. It’s a gamble by the right-hander, because if he pitches poorly in the WBC or suffers any kind of injury, he would severely limit his major league options. But if Martinez pitches well and handles opposing lineups successfully, he could have a bunch of suitors around the game.

The Mets could be one of those suitors. Omar Minaya was in the Dominican on a pre-arranged scouting trip and planned to meet with Martinez yesterday.

Martinez has been training in the Dominican Republic, and Cuza gushed over his condition.

“I think right now Pedro feels the best he’s felt probably since he signed with the Mets, since the first year he signed with the Mets,” Cuza said. “He feels strong. There’s absolutely no aches and pains.”

It’s unknown how much Martinez will pitch for the Dominican Republic in the WBC. According to the current roster on MLB.com, the Dominican starting pitchers include Martinez, Ervin Santana, Edinson Volquez, Fausto Carmona, Daniel Cabrera, Francisco Liriano, Johnny Cueto, Ubaldo Jimenez, Odalis Perez and Wandy Rodriguez.

Martinez, who turned 37 in October, made 20 starts for the Mets last season, going 5-6 with a 5.61 ERA. He missed two months with a strained left hamstring suffered in his first start. He also lost his father, Pablo, in July, to brain cancer.

But Martinez did pitch well at times last season, posting a 3.97 ERA in July and August combined, and lasting six innings or more in 10 of his 20 starts.

As for the Mets’ plans with Martinez, an AP report Wednesday indicated that they had interest in signing him, though that report cited no sources. The Mets’ starters currently are Johan Santana, Mike Pelfrey, John Maine, Tim Redding and Freddy Garcia, with minor leaguers Jon Niese and Bobby Parnell also in the mix. Oliver Perez remains a free agent.

Martinez didn’t pitch in the first WBC before the 2006 season because he was suffering from a toe injury. This time, he plans to be on the mound.

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The Mets signed four players to minor league deals yesterday, including RHP and former Yankee farmhand Matt DeSalvo. They also inked switch-hitting outfielder Bobby Kielty, RHP Tony Armas Jr. and LHP Valerio de los Santos.

mark.hale@nypost.com