NEW YORK, May 18 (UPI) -- New York Mets right-hander Pedro Martinez will miss his scheduled start Friday against the cross-town rival New York Yankees because of a hip ailment.
Martinez received a cortisone shot in his right hip Tuesday after an MRI revealed inflammation in the hip. He may pitch Sunday in the series finale.
"We wanted to give him an extra day to let (the cortisone) settle in," Manager Willie Randolph told Newsday. "The last couple of starts, he's been feeling it a little."
Victor Zambrano will start Friday's game.
Randolph was not specific about his starter Saturday. Aaron Heilman will "most likely" get the nod Sunday if Martinez can't go.
Martinez, in the first year of a four-year, $53 million contract, has a record of 4-1 this season, posting a 3.38 earned run average. He has 67 strikeouts to lead the National League.
