Pedro Martinez can't understand what all the fuss is about.

Yes, he decided to skip the Mets' three-game series in Milwaukee to return to New York. But, no, he wasn't goofing off. Instead, Martinez was working with trainer Chris Correnti on his flexibility.

Martinez is slated to pitch, on turn, Saturday against the Phillies in a series that interim manager Jerry Manuel labeled the most important one the Mets have played to this point in the season.

Martinez limited the Marlins to two runs in six innings on Sunday in Miami, but never felt loose during the start, and his velocity mostly resided in the low-80s mph. Correnti, Martinez's longtime personal trainer, who has since been hired by the Mets full time, had been working in New York with disabled closer Billy ...More