Sad news:
Martinez working on return when father dies of cancer
ESPN.com news services
Pedro Martinez's struggles on the mound took a backseat on Wednesday after the father of the New York Mets pitcher died.
Martinez has traveled back and forth to the Dominican Republic this spring and summer to be with his father, Pablo, who had been battling brain cancer. He was 79.
Martinez is 3-2 with a 6.25 ERA in nine starts this season. The Mets pushed back his last scheduled start, but an encouraging bullpen session had him slated to start Friday against St. Louis.
Martinez left his start July 12 after only four innings with a sore shoulder.
It was not immediately clear when Martinez would travel to the Dominican and return to the team.
