Key points from Martinez press conference
A quick run-down of some key points from the Pedro Martinez press conference that wrapped up about an hour ago.
Key points from Martinez press conference
David Murphy, Daily News Staff Writer
A quick run-down of some key points from the Pedro Martinez press conference that wrapped up about an hour ago.
1) General manager Ruben Amaro Jr. estimated that Martinez will be ready to join the rotation in two-to-three weeks. Best case scenario, he is ready by the time he is eligible to be activated from the disabled list, which is July 30. There is a good chance that Martinez isn't ready until after that. It's safe to say, though, that the Phillies are planning on having him ready to pitch for the bulk of August.
2) Martinez will not throw off a mound today as his shoulder continues to recover from the battery of medical tests the Phillies ran him through yesterday. The tests included dye being injected into his shoulder. Martinez said that the shoulder is still sore, but that he is hopeful he can resume throwing within the next couple of days.
3) Amaro said that there is no definite timeline yet for Martinez's rehab starts. He will travel with the team to Miami, where they open up a series against the Marlins tomorrow. It sounds like he will throw a side at some point this weekend, then will likely head to Clearwater to work at the team's minor league complex down there. In a previous post I outlined a hypothetical rehab plan. After listening to Amaro and Martinez at the press conference, I think that plan is a pretty accurate reflection of how the Phillies will proceed.
4) Amaro and Martinez both made it clear that the goal is to have Martinez pitching in the rotation. That said, Amaro conceded that Martinez could wind up with a bullpen role if the starting experiment fails. And Martinez said he would be open to such a role, and that as of today he is an "employee" of the Phillies, and will pitch in whatever role they ask of him. He mentioned his first year in the big leagues, when he was an electric reliever for the Dodgers, and his experience in the World Baseball Classic, when he pitched six innings of effective relief for the Dominican Republic. But again, right now everyone's focus is on Martinez being a starter.
5) Martinez said that once he did not sign with a team in time for the start of the season, he moved forward expecting to sign somewhere in July. Because of that, he did not throw much off the mound, hoping not to "waste any bullets" in vain. He has thrown three times since the World Baseball Classic, the final two under the watchful eye of Phillies personnel. Special assistant Charlie Kerfeld watched the first session, and was joined by assistant general manager Benny Looper for the second. Martinez said he threw about 60 pitches in his first session and 65 in his second. Amaro said the velocity on his fastball ranged from 86-91, a far cry from where it was in Martinez's prime, but impressive enough that the Phillies felt he could still be effective at the major league level.
6) Martinez says he feels completely healthy, much more so than he did last season, when groin and shoulder problems hampered him in his 20 starts with the Mets.
7) That's most of the important stuff for now.
Comments (56)
Get Reuben to open up about our "real" pitching needs.— J.H.S.- Am very happily surprised to hear Pedro state he is an employee and willing to do whatever asked. Perhaps he won't be a total waste after all, though I still don't see him being better then the prospects we have ready (bastardo, Lopez, carlos kendrick etc)— fan_in_jerusalem
- fan_in_jerusalem that is a ridiculous staement and probably doesnt even deserve a response. you really think bastardo, lopez, carrasco and kendrick are better options in a pennant race than a rested pedro martinez? c'mon man that is just stupid...— TheAnswer333
Murph: Did you steal Jaws' glasses? Ditch the specs, especially if they aren't prescription!- now lets get roger clemens and trade for randy johnson go ruben yeah!!!!!!!(not)— world champs
- As word broke of this last week i didnt like it, but the more i think about it this move is solid. Low risk, high reward. Also if Pedro is truely healthy like it seems that makes a world of difference. Anyone who has pitched knows that the difference between being 85% healthy to fully healthy is a big big difference. That being said lets see what hes got. I think he can be effective especially if he is sitting near 90mph, you know hes gonna still have a good changeup and decent slow curve, the question is can he spot a legitimate fastball? If starting doesnt work out he has the make up of a guy who could come out of the pen for a few big outs no doubt about it.— philsfan in the atx
- I dont like it. Ill be surprised if this Mets-reject has-been can throw more than 20 effective innings for us this year. It only makes sense if we are truly making a play at Halladay.— HitsLikeAGurlBurrel
- $1 mill and they're hoping he can pitch the month of August? This could be an awesome move or disastrous. Jeff Ruland anyone?— smfree31
Comment removed.- @gphilly It would make sense for them to sign Pedro if they were making a run at Halladay because Happ presumably would have to be part of the deal to acquire Doc. That way, the rotation would be Halladay, Hamels, Blanton, Moyer, Martinez, instead of Halladay, Hamels, Blanton, Moyer, scrubfromminors.— Mike P
- Comment removed.
- Answer333 - I think "fan_in_jerusalem" is just funning. He/she submits these simple-minded posts almost every day. Last week, he was wondering why everybody is so hyped to trade Drabek and Happ for Matt Holiday when we need pitching more than another outfielder!!— PhightinPhan
- does anybody remember Jeff Ruland ?— mrdip
- Comment removed.
- Because the FO thinks they need 2 pitchers to bolster the rotation, not just 1. This is absolutely no-risk...If he's not effective, they leave him in the minors just like they did with Kris Benson last year. If he is, they give him a shot and hope he can fill the 5 hole in the rotation. I don't udnerstand why ANYONE would have a problem with this move.— ChrisInVT
- this is part of the Halladay deal. Pedro fits in for Happ who will go in that deal. (wishful thinking)— broadstreetbullynyc
- I agree, this is a good move, it will either pay off well in the long run or if it does not, no big deal really if you think about it. But they better be pursuing Halladay.— Will.i.Am
- Forget Halladay. Get last years Cy Young winner from the Indians (Lee). He's young so we can sign him long term and less of an injury risk. The BJ's literally want the farm and the Indians would settle for less. Lee is unhappy and would love to come to a winner. Why are all these dudes so upest about Pedro? 1 million bucks to see if he can win/save some games. Plus, he's a unique personality that we will enjoy reading about for the rest of the year and will give the Phils some more national exposure.— cbray
- I am not thrilled with this signing. A sore shoulder just from "dye" for a test. Is he a wuss or what? And going on the DL before the ink is even dry on the contract. I sure hope they have enough sense to get Halladay. Halladay is a proven winner... anyone on the farm is just a "prospect". No one knows if they will be winners or busts. GET HALLADAY NOW!!!— luvuphillies
- Low risk, potentially high reward. Great move.— Philth
- @luvuphillies: is Pedro Martinez "a wuss"? i hope that was a joke. the guy is just about as big as Tim Lincecum, and he's been through the battles for years now. so no, he's OBVIOUSLY no wuss. also, you said "Halladay is a proven winner" as if this is something Pedro lacks. Halladay is 141-69 with a 3.47 ERA and 1.20 WHIP with 1393 Ks in 1930 IPs in his career. Pedro is 214-99 with a 2.91 ERA and a 1.05 WHIP with 3117 Ks in 2782 IPs in his career. perhaps you just became a baseball fan in these past 2 seasons? Pedro Martinez is the DEFINITION of winner.— BillyBoy70
- The old "Dye in the Arm" excuse...seriously, with the way Happ is pitching right now, I'd be more inclined than before to give up Drabek if it's an either/or, (though for Toronto it might be a "both" or no deal). Happ has been about as good as can be expected, and maybe he falters as teams get used to his stuff, but unless the team thinks that is a certainty, it's hard to give up on a guy who's suddenly counted #5 in the league leaders in ERA, (apparently he's met the innings threshold even with a month + in the pen). How do you trade that guy when you're trying to win now? I just don't know if you can.— B in DC
- LUVU - Where did you think he was going? Into the rotation? Of course he needs rehab, adn the only way to get him any is on the DL, or signing him to a minor league deal, or (and I could be wrong on union rules here, but I think I'm right since he's a "tenured" veteran), designating him for assignment. He didn't have spring training and in the WBC he was a reliever. He needs time to get his pitch count up or they'll be in the (*shudder*) bullpen in the fourth inning in his first start.— B in DC
- Perfect move for the Phils. At 1 million, it really is a no risk deal, esp.. to a team with 33+ straight sellouts. If Martinez doesn;t pan out in the rotation, he could be dangerously effective in the bullpen, along with Park. If he is a complete bomb, then no harm done, we release him and shed no tears over losing 1 million dollars.— ESFjellin
- Comment removed.
- B in DC..im with ya. its very hard to deal Happ right now. Lets assume the league catches up to him a little but still Halliday is a major stud but we give up a guy whos been a major stud so far. The better Happ pitches the tougher and more creative this move gets. Gotta be honest I think if we throw in Brunlett that gets the deal done...riiiight— philsfan in the atx
- If he has been healthy all year why is it going to take 2 - 3 weeks to get ready to pitch? He's been pitching forever and he can't get ready any quicker than that? To me that is a bad sign already. I hope I'm wrong but I think this is a mistake.— mk1956
- Remember when Mike Schmidt signed the huge contact of $2M as the highest payed player in baseball? I love how $1M get tossed around as peanuts. But i do agree, it is peanuts, and this could be a great move. If not, then he will either be released or sent to the pen, and the Phils will be out some peanuts.— DE_Gene
- Comment removed.
- So - Hammels, Blanton, Lopez, Happ, Moyer, Martinez - how will the Phillies move to 5? I say Moyer - he's got the highest ERA and he's essentially done. Hopefully, Pedro remembers his change up magic.— 2stepbay
- You guys get a glimpse of greatness (although a shadow of his former self) so appreciate it. This guy was a rare mixture of power and pinpoint control. For a guy who spent the bulk of his career battling the AL East or the NL east to have a career ERA under 3.00 is unheard of and to do it at his size is unthinkable. He intimidated the massive hitters of the steriod era by assuring that crowding the plate meant putting their lives in the hands of a guy who hurls the rock at your head in the upper 90s. He has worn down late in his career probably further cementing him as a freak of nature who did it on God given ability. When he goes to Cooperstown he should get two asteriks and an exclamation point letting everyone know that he pitched in the steriod era and dominated.— jwood
- Comment removed.
- After seeing the picture of Pedro in a Phillie hat, I threw up in my mouth just a little. I hope none of the very cool and very professional Phillies join Pedro in any of the stupid dugout associated with Pedro. He's not "the man" anymore and this team isn't a collection of miscreants like Reyes, Ramon Castro, Delgado, ad nausem(o). It's almost ironic...Pedro is like the exact opposite of Chase, Werth, Moyer, Cole, et cetera. Him coming to the Phillies is like Mind Of Mencia playing on PBS. And I don't mean that in a good way.— hankOceann
- I too think it's lame to use Tug's number. That number ought to be retired.— 2stepbay
- who cares! put a big package together quickly and get the halladay deal done before the price escalates - whatever it takes. drabek, taylor, heck - give them US dollars and let them arbitrage the foreign exchange. just get it done. NOW! "The rest is just smoke-filled coffee-house craaaaaap!" Lt. Weinberg, A Few Good Men— bm2626
- The Phillies have nothing to lose with this move, but they may gain alot only time will tell.— Stanford
- The NL had better watch out because Pedro has that little boy look in his eyes again. I think his enjoyment of baseball is back. He has a lot wins left. I was worried that the Mets would have signed him but they have as usual have missed the boat. Their loss is the Phillies gain. Pedro will leave it all on the field.— jpelle36
- Probably worth a try. What can you lose but some $$.— smokehouse56
- First people complain that Pedro is a waste of money, then they say it makes sense if he replaces Happ. Happ is one of the best pitchers on our staff this year. So which is it, is Pedro good or bad! Can't have it both ways people. Personally, it's a good move. We lose nothing except $1 million, which is not a lot. And I don't think we should trade Happ for Halladay. I'd like Halladay, but not for Happ.— androoo
- I don't know how anyone can say this is bad. $1 million is monopoly money in baseball- if he can't pitch, let him go. My guess is he gets the #5 spot from Moyer, who cannot pitch anymore.— KMG
- All the commenters of "no risk" are forgetting something - the bullpen. Having Pedro pitching is like having a platoon on the mound - the man can't pitch past the 5th inning (check his recent history), which means Durbin/Eyre/Walker/Madson/etc. are going to be worked hard every time. Is that what no-risk means? Sure, $1 mil is chump change, but heading into October with a rag-armed pen seems like a big risk to me. Plus no matter what Amaro says, I think this signing is the end of serious pursuit of Halladay.— eaglesfan5
- Comment removed.
Uh, Big Earn, this article essentially explains why he was put on the DL. I'd re-explain it but I don't have time to teach 5th grade reading comprehension. So, no I don't find it completely "odd" that he is already on the DL based on the information that D-Murph provided.- Amen, ChrisInVT. This move is way more insignificant than people are making it out to be. We didn't give Pedro a 3-yr deal, so everyone can stop panicking. He basically has a 3 week tryout to see if he can be effective. If he can't then we move on to someone else in our system and we're out a mill, which is probably what The Bank collects in cotton candy sales every game anyway. If Pedro can somehow find some old magic, then we make out great. Win-win situation in my book.— toccheyhockey
- the thing I most love about this is if he is successful it makes the Mets front office look sooooooo bad...we got nothing to lose— philly56
- Hey smfree31 this is baseball not basketball and besides Ruland was brought here at the expense of one the greatest centers to ever play in Philly- Moses Malone. Pedro is brought in without giving up anything for him. It makes sense, like Moyer, he knows how to pitch and can help down the stretch. good move by the Phils, now go get Halliday!!!!!!— tmoon51
- God bless Tug. He was a very good Phillie, but only the great ones have their numbers retired. Ashburn, Bunning, Alexander, Klein, Roberts, Carlton, Schmidt ... all Hall of Famers.— GoPhilsGo
- Big Earn ... Take the newspaper to your special school tomorrow and get one of the aides to read to you about why they put him on the DL. Won't seem so odd then.— GoPhilsGo
- You people have issues u need taken care of if you don't think this move is a slam dunk.By the way all the penny pinchers out the that think the Phils can't afford Roy. Myers and Eaton come off the books next year...I believe its 14 mil, so it would only raise the payroll by a few mil...— Living_Legend
- Just think all he needs to do is go 5 innings and give up 5-6 runs a gam, he's then better than Moyer. Moyer will beat the Fins Thurs, then get shelled the next few. Good man but needs too much to go his way to have a good outing. By the way for the 5th grade IQ's Moyer has never been close to the ability of Pedro, and he's makin alot more than 1 mil.— Living_Legend
- Smart risk free move with nothing to lose...— BurtonT
- Comment removed.
Hey David Murphy - I like you on Daily News Live. You bring a younger perspective and are generally insightful/spot on. BUT please try to stop saying "obviously" all the time. Everytime you say "obviously" I groan. It seems a little like a media coach suggested you say such things in order to emphasize your points and garner more authority. Otherwise, obviously, you're doing an excellent job on there. Obviously.— Leegles
Saying you're feeling good and being on the DL is counterintuitive. My BS meter is now pegged.— RAS- MY GOD PEOPLE!!! Learn to read! He's on the DL so he can pitch in the minors for a "rehab" stint to get his legs under him. What don't you understand about that? He wouldn't sign a minor league deal, so this is the only way to get him some rehab starts and get him up to speed. He hasn't pitched competitively since the World Baseball Classic. GOOD LORD.— ChrisInVT
- And cbray - What, exactly, makes you think that Cliff Lee is available? Is it the comments from the Indians' GM on a regular basis that they're not going to trade him? Just because you want to trade for him doesn't mean it's a possibility. I know, why don't we forget about Halladay and go get Lincecum!— ChrisInVT
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