Location: Philadelphia, Pa. | Ballpark: Citizens Bank Park (43,500) | Spring Training: Clearwater, Fla.
Owner: Bill Giles, David Montgomery | GM: Ruben Amaro Jr. | Manager: Charlie Manuel | World Championships: 2
Pedro Martinez may be close to signing with the Phillies.
Martinez, a three-time Cy Young Award winner, worked out for the team Tuesday in the Dominican Republic. It's likely he'll have another throwing session for Phillies scouts on Friday, and if it goes well, he could travel to Philadelphia early next week to undergo a physical.
Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. admitted the team is interested in Martinez but denied a report that circulated Thursday in the Dominican Republic that the sides had reached agreement on a contract worth $4 million. Martinez told the Associated Press that his agent, Fernando Cuza, is in negotiations with the Phillies.
"He has not been signed," Amaro said. "We've seen him pitch. He's not in town."
Martinez threw three innings in a simulated game Tuesday against the Phillies' Dominican Summer League team. A Phillies scout told ESPNdeportes.com that Martinez's velocity ranged from 88 to 91 mph and said a recommendation was made to the front office that Martinez could help to bolster the rotation.
"I feel the best I have for some time," Martinez told the Associated Press.
Martinez, 37, went 5-6 with a 5.61 ERA for the Mets last season. He pitched six scoreless innings for the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic in March, but he reportedly was seeking a contract in excess of $5 million. Martinez remained unsigned and has been working out for the past few months in the Dominican.
In 17 seasons with the Dodgers, Expos, Red Sox and Mets, Martinez is 214-99 with a 2.91 ERA. He figures to replace Rodrigo Lopez in a Phillies rotation that has been decimated by injuries. Brett Myers, the No. 2 starter, underwent likely season-ending hip surgery in early June, and his replacement, rookie Antonio Bastardo, went on the disabled list last month with a strained shoulder.
Lopez, who replaced Bastardo, left his start Wednesday night after five innings with right shoulder inflammation. The injury isn't considered serious.
Amaro hasn't been willing to discuss the Phillies' impressions of Martinez, but he said the team's interest in Martinez is as a starting pitcher.
PHILLIES 9, REDS 6: Chase Utley belted an inside-the-park home run and Jayson Werth homered for the fourth consecutive game to give the Phillies a victory in the series finale at Citizens Bank Park. The Phillies have won six of their last seven games and are 19-23 at home.
Werth has seven homers in his last 12 games, giving him 20 homers and 54 RBIs overall. The Phillies are only the second team, after the 2000 Blue Jays, to have four players with at least 20 home runs before the All-Star break. Jamie Moyer earned his team-leading eighth victory despite a 5.99 ERA. The Phillies are averaging 8.1 runs per game in Moyer's wins.
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