CINCINNATI -- The Mets' starting rotation again has been revised because of the injury-related unavailability of Pedro Martinez. Manager Jerry Manuel said late Saturday night that Martinez will not pitch against the Phillies Tuesday night as he had tentatively been scheduled to do. Nor will Martinez pitch Wednesday or Thursday against he team the Mets intend to catch.

The change came as no surprise. Manuel discretely had pulled away from Martinez pitching in pregame remarks Friday. And he pulled further away before the Mets game Saturday night when he noted Martinez hadn't thrown a pitch -- in game conditions or simulated conditions -- in more than a week.

Martinez would have gone nine days without pitching if Tuesday's assignment against the Phillies had gone unchanged. Now, because of the off-day Monday, each of the three will have normal four days' rest. Manuel said he intended to insert Martinez in the rotation in the subsequent series against the Cardinals.

Martinez rejoined the team Saturday night and threw in the bullpen, testing his right shoulder and right groin. He had strained the groin running the bases on July 7, and favoring it in his most recent start, July 12 against the Rockies, caused stiffness to develop in his right shoulder. He was removed after four innings. He received a cortisone shot Thursday to promote healing and reduce inflammation after returning from his native Dominican where had spent the All-Star break with his seriously ill father.

Martinez said he was pleased with the results, calling his brief bullpen session "very positive." But he also said: "OK, for the time being. It was a positive day."

Coach Guy Conti said, "He looked better throwing tonight than he did when he warmed [July 12.] He felt so good, he got on the mound and threw 25 pitches."

Martinez intends to play long toss on Sunday to stretch out his arm.

"The shoulder is fine," he said, adding nothing of the condition of his groin.