--RHP Pedro Martinez did not throw a bullpen session in Atlanta on Wednesday was expected. He returned to the Dominican Republic after hearing his ailing father, Pablo, had a setback. There was no word on how long Martinez would be in the Dominican and to what degree he would fall behind in his rehab from a strained left hamstring. Previously, manager Willie Randolph said thought Martinez could return at the end of next week.

--RF Ryan Church, who sustained a mild concussion Tuesday night while attempting to break up a double play, did not play Wednesday, but he hopes to return Thursday or Friday. "I feel a lot better than I thought I would," Church said.

--LHP Johan Santana will make his 10th start of the season Thursday against Atlanta. Santana lost 3-1 in a start at Atlanta on April 6. In that game, he gave up one run on seven hits in seven innings.

--LF Moises Alou left Wednesday night's game against Atlanta with a strained left calf. He will return to New York on Thursday morning for a MRI.

--RHP Mike Pelfrey, who gave up one run in 7 2/3 innings last Thursday to Washington, followed that strong performance by giving up six runs in four innings in Wednesday night's blowout loss at Atlanta.

BY THE NUMBERS
1,936 -- Career games for LF Moises Alou before he made his Yankee Stadium debut Saturday. It was the longest stretch among active players who hadn't played there.

QUOTE TO NOTE
"When you throw dirt on somebody, they could kick it off. Just because he didn't have a good year last year and is off to a slow start this year, it doesn't mean he doesn't have anything left in the tank." -- Mets manager Willie Randolph on 1B Carlos Delgado.

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