Martinez ready for rehab start

Pedro Martinez is ready to pitch in games.

Martinez said he’s ready for the next big step toward rejoining the rotation, making his first rehab start following shoulder surgery last fall.

At a news conference at the Mets’ spring training complex, Martinez said he plans to throw 45 pitches Wednesday for the St. Lucie Mets and could make another start for the Class A team before determining the next step in his comeback.

“I don’t know how I’m going to be,” Martinez said. “I just know I feel better than the last two years or so.”

The 35-year-old righty, a three-time Cy Young Award winner, had rotator cuff surgery last Oct. 5, and threw to batters on June 26 for the first time after the operation. The Mets hope to have him in their rotation next month.

“The Mets neatly filled a big hole at second base, acquiring three-time All-Star Luis Castillo for a pair of prospects.

The 31-year-old Castillo, who was twice the N.L. steals leader, adds speed to a batting order already topped by major league stolen base leader Jose Reyes.

“Tom Glavine will go for his 300th career victory tonight in Milwaukee.

Braves land Teixeira

The Texas Rangers will spell “Texas” without “Tex” from now on.

In a blockbuster deal that seemed destined to happen before this afternoon’s trade deadline, the Rangers traded first baseman Mark Teixeira and reliever Ron Mahay to the Atlanta Braves for rookie catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia and three prospects, according to team sources.

Although Rangers general manager Jon Daniels would not comment on any potential deals, the trade is expected to be announced this afternoon pending medical evaluations.

Teixeira, 27, was selected fifth overall in the 2001 draft by Texas. He hit .283 with 153 home runs and 499 RBI and playing in a club-record 507 consecutive games and also won two Gold Gloves.

Hancock suit dropped

The family of late Cardinals pitcher Josh Hancock dropped a wrongful-death lawsuit against Mike Shannon’s restaurant.

The lawsuit alleged that others shared responsibility for Josh Hancock’s death, including Mike Shannon’s restaurant, where the player drank the night he crashed his sport utility vehicle into a tow truck in St. Louis last April.

Clearing the bases

The Philadelphia Phillies added Kyle Lohse for the stretch run, obtaining the right-hander from the Cincinnati Reds for lefty Matt Maloney. … Third baseman Matt Brown, a Coeur d’Alene High graduate, was called up by the Los Angeles Angels.