Change is a constant with the Red Sox this season, from the owners on down, so perhaps it's not suprising that it has reached the team's pitching staff, too.
Thirteen games into the season, it's as if someone had flipped the club's starting rotation on its head. Pedro Martinez, the team's indisputable ace since his arrival before the 1998 season, has been the least effective and dependable pitcher so far this season.
The staff's anchor in the past, he finds himself being its least stable member.
That scenario would have been unthinkable in the past, when Martinez often figuratively carried the team on his slender frame. His .692 career winning percentage only hints at Martinez's past dominance and reliability.
Now, however, as Martinez adapts to life following the discovery of some fraying in his right rotator cuff, he finds himself in the unfamiliar position of attempting to catch up to his rotation mates.
Boston's starters sport a 2.92 ERA, but take away Martinez's three starts (1-0, 6.91) and that number would sink to 2.01.
Martinez has struggled with his command in all three appearances to date, though he also has had bursts of brilliance.
"I think that fifth inning against the Yankees [on Saturday, in which Martinez struck out the side] was the best I've seen him throw all year," remarked manager Grady Little earlier this week.
That may portend well for the Red Sox and Martinez, since it was the pitcher's last full inning -- he was removed after retiring one Yankee in the next frame -- and could signal that Martinez is moving closer still to his previous level.
But there are no guarantees that Martinez, who pitches tonight in Kansas City as the Red Sox continue their eight-game road trip, has totally solved the equation. Not yet in command of his changeup or curve, he still is evolving, and the results are far from predictable.
"I'm in wonderland," said Martinez ruefully as the Sox wrapped up their brief stay in Toronto.
He's also uncomfortable with the scrutiny his every start brings and the intense media coverage each brings. Martinez would prefer to fight through this period with a degree of anonymity. Instead, each outing becomes an event and the pitcher is constantly asked about everything from the condition of his shoulder to his level of confidence.
"I just want to sneak by," he said. "I don't want to make a big deal about every outing. I think I'm making improvement each time out, but I just want to sneak by."
In the meantime, Martinez has nothing but praise for his fellow starters -- Derek Lowe, Frank Castillo, Darren Oliver and Tim Wakefield -- for their contributions. Their work, as Martinez attempts to find himself, has kept the Sox afloat.
"They have picked up the slack," Martinez said. "I'm really proud of them. I haven't done much, so I'm glad they're there for me."
Such a change in status must seem humbling to Martinez, who is accustomed to the team leaning on him, and not the other way around. The pitcher concedes only that it's "a little different." Fighting to maintain a consistent arm angle and adjust to his more muscular frame, he finds himself working like never before.
"You just have to go out there and hope to be healthy," he said. "If I do that, I'll be happy."
That's because Martinez ultimately believes in himself and in his shoulder's ability to regenerate.
"It's only three outings," said Martinez, "so it's hard to judge. But I believe I have gotten better with every one."
It frustrates him not to be able to execute his pitches in a manner in which he's accustomed, which is to say, better than almost anyone else. But teammates noticed a renewed intensity on the part of Martinez during his last start, against New York.
"I think I have that mound presence," agreed Martinez. "I don't know how to pitch differently."
