Kerrigan: Martinez
throws without pain
Associated Press
BOSTON
-- Boston Red Sox pitcher Pedro Martinez has been throwing without pain for three weeks and is expected to be ready for spring training, manager Joe Kerrigan said yesterday.
Although Kerrigan, who was promoted from pitching coach when Jimy Williams was fired in August, has not spoken to Martinez since the end of the season, the Red Sox' ace has been in touch with the team's trainer and strength coach.
Martinez was 7-1 with a 1.44 ERA on Memorial Day, but he went on the disabled list with inflammation in his rotator cuff. He returned to make two starts in August, but he clearly wasn't the same pitcher who had won three Cy Young Awards.
Kerrigan said Martinez has been throwing long toss for the last three weeks and will report to spring training a week early. By that time, Martinez should be ready to throw from a mound.
"Everything he said he was going to do when he left here, he's done it," Kerrigan said.
The La Hoy newspaper in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, reported that the Sox' ace, in a TV interview on Mango TV said, "I haven't felt any discomfort, and this is the best indication that I'm well."
The Red Sox are expected to send a doctor to the Dominican Republic to examine Martinez in the near future. Martinez says he has been doing strength conditioning, special exercises in a swimming pool, and weightlifting to strengthen his shoulder, among other things.
"I really know my body, and I'm certain that I'm recovered," he said.
Shortstop Nomar Garciaparra and catcher Jason Varitek also are expected to be ready for the start of spring training.
Garciaparra won consecutive A.L. batting titles before undergoing wrist surgery on opening day and missing 103 games last season. He returned to play in 21 games before finishing the season back on the DL.
Varitek broke his elbow diving for a foul ball on June 7 and missed the rest of the season.
Also yesterday, Kerrigan said he has been talking to former catcher Mike Stanley about joining the team as a bench coach. The two sides are negotiating over salary.
Stanley was not happy with the Red Sox after he was released during the 2000 season. He was picked up by Oakland for the rest of the year, but he didn't play at all last season.
Kerrigan said the problems between Stanley and the team had passed. And, in a clubhouse that has lacked leadership since Stanley left, he would be a welcome addition.
"He walks in a locker room and he has instant integrity," Kerrigan said. "I think he'd have instant credibility with the players."
Kerrigan also said yesterday that the team was planning to add an interview room behind the home clubhouse so that reporters waiting to talk to players after the games won't get in other players' way. Outfielder Manny Ramirez had complained about the setup last year -- his first with the Red Sox after playing his whole career in Cleveland.
In addition, Kerrigan reported there was no news on second baseman Pokey Reese, who was acquired from the Reds but not offered arbitration by Boston, making him a free agent. The Red Sox are hoping to sign him for less than the $5 million he might have gotten in arbitration.
Kerrigan also said he has not talked to the new owners, who are awaiting major-league approval after bidding $660 million to buy the team.
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