Willie Randolph isnât putting much stock in Pedro Martinezâs highly optimistic self-prognosis.
Mets GM Omar Minaya told The Post exclusively this week that Martinezâs return from a strained left hamstring suffered April 1 had been pushed back to mid-May or early June.
Martinez responded by telling reporters from his native Dominican Republic that he was making rapid progress and could be back in the Metsâ rotation by the end of this month. Randolph, however, shot down that notion tonight.
âWhatever heâs saying about where he is, I take that with a grain of salt,â Randolph said tonight before the start of a three-game series here with the Phillies.
âWhen he talks to the Dominican press, Iâm sure he wants to be confident and optimistic,â Randolph continued. âBut I donât put a lot into when heâs going to be back.â