Pedro, El Duque Working Toward Return

Pedro Martinez is scheduled to throw a side session on Friday in Florida, another step in the pitcher's rehabilitation from a strained left hamstring.

Martinez threw a side session on Tuesday, and the Mets are waiting to see how he comes out of it before his next workout. It hasn't been determined yet whether he will be throwing to hitters or just a catcher.

"Until Pedro gets on the mound where he starts moving around, he's just doing his rehab, so there's nothing to report that's significant," manager Willie Randolph said.

"I get reports on him, but basically they just said he got his work in, did his core work, that kind of stuff. That's what I get on my Blackberry. The main thing for him is when he gets on the mound and into some games, then I can give you guys a heads-up on what he's doing. But right now he's just basically stretching his arm out and doing his exercises."

Orlando Hernandez received permission from a foot specialist to have the protective boot removed from his troublesome right foot and begin light running and throwing program in Florida.

"There's no more tenderness on the tendon and it felt good, so he was cleared him to take the boot off and resume baseball activities," assistant general manager John Ricco said. "This just happened out of the blue, so we'll see how the foot reacts to that. We're just taking it one step at a time and not try to set any timetable for him. That's the way we're looking at it."

Right-hander Matt Wise, sidelined since April 2 because of a bruised right forearm, was scheduled to pitch in another rehab game in the Florida State League yesterday.