Martinez to throw sim. game tomorrow, maybe start Sunday
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Martinez to throw sim. game tomorrow, maybe start Sunday
David Murphy, Daily News Staff Writer
Pedro Martinez is scheduled to throw a simulated game against Phillies minor leaguers in Clearwater, Fla. tomorrow. Martinez said that from that point on, he will assume his normal pitching routine, throwing in a game every five days until he is ready to join the active roster.
If Martinez sticks to the schedule he outlined in an interview this afternoon, he will make his first rehab start on Sunday, likely for the Clearwater Threshers, who are home Sunday. He could then pitch again on July 31, then Aug. 4, and so on.
"I'm going to start getting into a regular routine," said Martinez, who has not pitched in a big league game since September of last season. "I'm going to throw a simulted game, I'm going to take my second day and throw a side session, and then go to a game. And then, on and on, just act like a regular starting pitcher."
Martinez said he is confident he can remain on a schedule that has him pitching once every fifth day.
"I can bounce back really good," Martinez said.
Martinez reported to Clearwater Monday at noon. He played catch in the outfield. Tomorrow will mark his first appearance against live batters since he threw a simulated game for the Phillies in the Dominican Republic 10 days ago.
"I'm ready," Martinez said. "I did it in Santo Domingo and I'm ready to do it here."
So when will Martinez be ready to make his big league debut? A lot depends on how his body responds during his rehab progression. If the Phillies feel he is ready after two official rehab starts, he could debut against the Rockies at home. Thanks to an off day on Aug. 3, he could be lined up to pitch on Rodrigo Lopez's day on Aug. 5. If he needs another rehab start, he could be ready that weekend against the Marlins.
Martinez's contract is officially a one-year, $2 million deal. Pro-rated, it amounts to roughly $1 million guaranteed. He'll also earn $75,000 per start after his fifth start and $100,000 per start after his 10th start. Martinez also has some incentives that will reward him if the Phillies end up using him out of the bullpen. He'll receive $50,000 if he makes 50 relief appearances and another $50,000 if he makes 20, then another $50,000 if he makes 25.
Martinez will also earn $50,000 after his 15th day on the active roster, $50,000 after his 30th day, $50,000 after his 45th day, $50,000 after his 60th day, and $50,000 after his 75th day. None of these include stints on the disabled list.
Assuming Martinez sticks to the progression he outlined, here is a look at his schedule, along with the Phillies' scheduled rotation:
Tues - vs. Cubs (Blanton) (Martinez sim. game)
7/22- vs. Cubs (Moyer)
7/23- vs. Padres (Hamels)
7/24- vs. Cardinals (Happ)
7/25- vs. Cardinals (Lopez)
7/26- vs. Cardinals (Blanton) (Martinez rehab start)
7/27 - at Arizona (Moyer)
7/28 - at Arizona (Hamels)
7/29 - at Arizona (Happ)
7/30 - at Giants (Lopez)
7/31 - at Giants (Blanton) (Martinez rehab start)
8/1 - at Giants (Moyer)
8/2 - at Giants (Hamels)
8/3 - OFF
So what happens if Halladay joins the team and we manage to keep Happ as well?— fan_in_jerusalem- Pedro to bullpen seemingly or maybe not on the team at all depending on his performance. The most they are on the hook for if he doesn't play is "only" a million, so it wouldn't be bad. The only scenario I see where he makes the rotation if we have Happ and Halladay is if Moyer falters down the stretch. If not, I hope he enjoys the friendly confines of Lehigh Valley.— robm0202
- moyer would prolly be odd man out— PhillySports23
- Don't understand why Charlie gave Hamels an extra day off. Now he is scheduled to face the lowly Padres instead of closing the Cubs series. That distiction goes to Moyer against Zambrano, who should've been facing the Padres in the first place.— EL Zorro
Comment removed.- Enough simulated games already! Why is this guy not even ready to pitch in the minor leagues?— scars73
- phillysports 23......do you know how many wins moyer has?? there is no way and i mean no way that he is odd man out....what in gods name are you smoking???— dps2080
- Too many what ifs in here tonight. Wait until Petry throws for a couple of wks.— mick314
- dps2080, are you serious? Yes, Moyer has a lot of wins, but his ERA, WHIP and average against are not good. So because he has 9 wins, he is better than say, Randy Wolf, who is only 4-4. Wolf has a 3.51 ERA, .236 average against, 1.16 WHIP. All significantly better than Moyer...— 93phils
- I enjoy reading the posted comments. No one seems to agree. This is baseball at its best. Let's all enjoy the rest of the season.— wiseoldowl
- i just can't believe this guy isn't ready to play already. he shoulda been playing ball this whole time somewhere, preparing for his comeback. instead, he sits on the couch, and now expects to play for the best team in baseball without any sacrifice-- halfway through the season...as if to have some sort of special privilege, like brett favre or something.— rich_gelman
dps, Moyer has the wins because his team scores better than 8 runs/9 innings for him. Last I looked, he led the majors in run support -- I'm sure he's still at least in the top 2 or 3. He needs them, too, because his ERA is 5.58. By the way, he also leads the team with 6 losses. You should get a clue before you start throwing around the "smoking" comments and multiple question marks, don't you think??????— 1980- I know this is a discussion on Pedro, but I just watched Bruntlett strike out to lower his average to .130 - are you kidding me??? this guy has the batting average of a pitcher! cut this guy already and bring up a RH bat - anyone will do at this point— gregious
- my only comment is murphy, please change that picture or put a mask on it.— JACK V
- My only comment is if your not in someone elses shoes, don't be judgeing them...— phigglesfan75
