Pedro, I’ll be back in 2007

A giddy Pedro Martinez, his right shoulder still in a sling, predicted yesterday that he would return to the Mets during the second half of the 2007 season. He also predicted he would return a stronger pitcher.
"Without a doubt I'm supposed to come back by the second half of 2007," Martinez told the Daily News yesterday afternoon at Shea, in his first comments since shoulder surgery six days earlier. "I'm going to work my tail off and get better. I'm actually feeling better right now - already. I'm very optimistic that with hard work, which I know how to do, and with the proper rehab, I should be right back. And I'm supposed to be better than I was."
Martinez had surgery last Thursday to repair a torn rotator cuff. GM Omar Minaya estimated an eight-month recovery period. The ace was reluctant to talk in the days leading up to the surgery, and he acknowledged yesterday that "it was difficult to talk" before the procedure because of the uncertainty about the ramifications for his career.
"I'm very, very optimistic and very happy about the results," Martinez said. "Right now, the doctor just told me today that I looked like a month after surgery - and it's only been a week - because of the way everything is moving around and the way that I'm feeling and the way my flexibility is reacting to the surgery. That's more than good news."
As for his plan going forward, Martinez added: "I'm supposed to start in five weeks what you would call 'normal rehab' on the shoulder. As of now I'm going to stretch my arm like I've been doing and do what I have to do."
Martinez's season ended on Sept. 27, when he allowed seven runs on eight hits in 2-2/3 innings in Atlanta in his third disappointing start since returning from a right-calf tear. Team officials sent the ace to New York after that outing for tests.
Martinez had a 9-8 record and career-high 4.48 ERA in the regular season.