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Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Pedro Martinez has arrived

Pedro Martinez arrived at Philadelphia International airport late last night in advance of a physical that team sources suggest is scheduled for today.

Upon his arrival, Martinez told two television stations that health problems as well as the recent death of his father helped contribute to his 5.61 ERA last season.

Provided Martinez passes the physical, an important piece given the 37-year-old's recent struggles with hip and shoulder problems, the Phillies are expected to announced his signing Wednesday.

Martinez still has to knock off some rust before he would be ready to pitch. It is unlikely that he will be available when the Phillies first need him on Monday. Provided veteran Rodrigo Lopez has receovered from a bout with shoulder tightness, he could get another two to three starts before Martinez is ready.

"I really want to bring something to the Phillies or to whoever I go, but it's gonna take a little bit longer," Martinez told ABC News last night. "I haven't really pitched that much in the last month or so."

Posted by David Murphy @ 8:48 AM  Permalink | 19 comments
19
Comments   
Posted 08:01 AM, 07/14/2009
42Homestead
Still not sure Pedro is the answer. You wonder what he has left if anything.
Posted 08:18 AM, 07/14/2009
Dark Star
There are people In the minors much better than Pedro, the Mutts could have brought him In anytime. He has to be as good as Livan Hernandez.
Posted 08:24 AM, 07/14/2009
DR Heller
But is it going to hurt the team at looking at him and seeing if he has anything left.
Posted 08:30 AM, 07/14/2009
BillyBoy70
In his 4 years with the Mets, "washed up" Pedro Martinez went 32-23 with a 3.88 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, and 464 Ks in 487 innings pitched in 79 starts. I don't know how even the typical misguided Philadelphia fan can argue with those numbers. Pedro IS THE ANSWER!
Comment removed.
Posted 08:30 AM, 07/14/2009
Dave Clemens
Thanks, DR Heller. My sentiments exactly. Let's see what Pedro can bring. Maybe he'll make a difference.
Posted 08:57 AM, 07/14/2009
FightinPhil
Say goodbye to Halladay. Phils are taking the cheap way out and hope we catch fire again like last year during the second half. Bottom line, this team is not as good as last year. Bullpen and rotation are not the same. Ruben is just a puppet for this faceless ownership.
Comment removed.
Posted 09:10 AM, 07/14/2009
BillyBoy70
some of you are so, so negative. here's the facts: the DEFENDING WORLD CHAMPIONS who are currently IN FIRST PLACE are about to sign a proven veteran pitcher who is a FIRST-BALLOT HALL OF FAMER for an EXTREMELY LOW AMOUNT OF MONEY (relatively speaking). anyone who has a problem with any of this needs their head examined. consider enjoying the baseball season, and then come back and comment.
Comment removed.
Posted 09:13 AM, 07/14/2009
TheBigT12345
Fightin Phil, I really wouldn't call signing a future hall of famer the cheap way out. He isn't exactly cheap either from the estimates of 4-5 million he will recieve for the rest of the year. If anything this signing gives us more ammo to get Roy Halladay.
Posted 09:25 AM, 07/14/2009
jzpatten
I also don't see Pedro as "the answer," whatever that may mean. But I do like the idea of his presence in the clubhouse and the positive effect it can have on young pitchers like Cole Hamels and J.A. Happ. We've all seen the cutaway shots of Jamie Moyer teaching Hamels inbetween innings, and Pedro's knowledge of pitching and undeniably successful past paired with the developing minds of young pitchers sounds like something worth taking a flier on for half a season.
Posted 10:00 AM, 07/14/2009
Navyhockey
Hey BigT, I don't know where you heard it, but Pedro isn't going to get 4-5 million for half a year. Nobody would offer him that at the beginning of the season, so he won't get that now. He may get that prorated, which would be under 2 million, but I don't even think he sees that.
Posted 10:27 AM, 07/14/2009
Reggie92
What You Got Pedro ?
Posted 10:34 AM, 07/14/2009
Doug in VA
Reading these comment sections for each article validates the research on how many people see the class half empty vs. half full. Philly sports fans tip the scales even slightly higher in favor of half empty...maybe more like almost empty! Last year the Phillies were in worse shape at this point...how quickly you forget.
About David Murphy
David Murphy joined the Daily News as its Phillies beat writer in February of 2008. Born in Upper Merion and raised in the Poconos, he attended college at La Salle University before taking jobs with the Myrtle Beach (S.C.) Sun-News and the St. Petersburg ( Fla. ) Times.

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