Martinez Shut Down for the Year

We all know Pedro Martinez isn't what he used to be, or even what he was in April of this season.

The New York Mets learned Thursday their ace is done for the year with a torn tendon in his left calf muscle.

Instead of pitching Game 1 in next week's NL division series, Martinez will be in the early days of a four- to six-week recovery period. While surgery won't be necessary, there is no chance of the three-time Cy Young Award winner pitching again in 2006, even if the Mets make it all the way to the World Series.

This could make it tough for the Mets, who have been cruising most of the season without Martinez, to advance in the postseason. They will have to rely on Orlando Hernandez and Tom Glavine to anchor the staff.