Click here to subscribe today or Login.
CLEARWATER, Fla. — Pedro Martinez is moving closer to getting back on the mound.
The Philadelphia Phillies’ new right-hander took the first step Monday toward making a rehab start as he prepares for a return to the major leagues.
“I’m ready, I’m ready,” the three-time Cy Young Award winner said after throwing long toss. “I did it (throwing) in the Dominican, now I am ready to do it here.”
The 37-year-old Martinez, who last week signed a one-year, $1 million contract with the Phillies, is on the 15-day disabled list because of a shoulder strain. Philadelphia is mapping out a plan to get him back in the big leagues.
“Now I am going to get into a regular routine,” said Martinez, who last pitched in the World Baseball Classic for the Dominican Republic. “Throw a simulated game, a side session and from there do any work to get into a game.”
Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. was in Clearwater to watch Martinez’s throwing session.
“We’ll try and get him up on the mound (Tuesday) and see how he feels, then progress accordingly,” Amaro said.
Class A Clearwater is on the road until Sunday, when the team will face the St. Lucie Mets. That could be the stage for Martinez’s first rehab start.
“We haven’t made any final decisions as when he is pitching yet,” Amaro said. “He’s kind of day to day, and when we decide he is going to get up on the mound and ready to throw a rehab we will be sure to let people know.”
METS
WASHINGTON — The injury-plagued New York Mets placed right-hander Fernando Nieve on the 15-day disabled list with a strained right quadriceps.
Nieve, the starting pitcher in Sunday’s game in Atlanta, injured the quad trying to beat out a grounder in the second inning. Nieve, who is 3-3 with a 2.95 ERRA, is the ninth Met on the disabled list. They have six players on the 15-day list and three on the 60-day DL.
Outfielder Cory Sullivan was recalled from Triple-A Buffalo to take Nieve’s spot. The 29-year-old Sullivan is batting .290 with two home runs and 24 RBIs with the Bisons. Sullivan played the last four seasons with Colorado, and has a .279 lifetime batting average.
Sullivan’s stay with the Mets could be a short one. New York needs a starting pitcher to take Nieve’s place on Saturday, and Manuel indicated that the starter would be recalled from Buffalo.
RANGERS
ARLINGTON, Texas — The Texas Rangers are again without closer Frank Francisco.
Francisco, who has already been on the disabled list twice for injuries, was put on the 15-day DL Monday because he is unavailable to pitch due to a mild case of pneumonia.
Right-hander Willie Eyre is being recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City and is expected to be in the bullpen for Monday night’s game against Boston.
Francisco last pitched July 10, before the All-Star break. The DL move is retroactive to July 11, meaning the right-hander will be eligible to be reinstated Sunday.