Anthony Dicomo over at mlb.com is reporting that Pedro Martinez is making some progress, but is still at least one throwing session away from facing actual living hitters of any kind. According to DiComo, Pedro would face either hitters in a simulated game or participate in an extended Spring Training game. Pedro has not faced hitters since getting hurt in his sole appearance of the season.

Its good to see Pedro making progress, and realistically he’s probably closer to returning than Duq. Best case scenario, his next throwing session is good enough that the one after that is in a simulated game, that still puts him probably at least three more weeks away from coming back. He’s already missed the originally stated time he’d be out, but its Pedro. Its not like we didn’t know when he came to Shea he’d miss some time. Figgy is doing respectable, so we can’t complain. Pelf is…a fifth starter, and we’ll leave it at that. If the middle of the rotation can hold up a little better (you Ollie, you), then we can manage the few more weeks before Pedro returns.

On a side note, Delcos is reporting Duque is still wearing his boot, and will be ‘reevaluated’ soon. Which means pretty much its going to be awhile.