Sporting News staff reports
The Phillies need pitching help, but Pedro Martinez won’t be providing it.
Martinez’s agent, Fern Cuza, told ESPNDeportes.com on Wednesday the right-hander will sit out this season. Cuza added that Martinez has not decided to retire from baseball.
"After a meeting to discuss his immediate future, Pedro decided he wouldn’t pitch this year, in order to spend more time with his family in the Dominican Republic," the site quoted Cuza, who spoke in Spanish.
"This does not mean Pedro is announcing his retirement from baseball, because the possibility that he changes his opinion for next season still exists. But today, he asked that I call the teams that were interested to reveal his decision."
Cuza said recently that Martinez has yet to throw this year.
Martinez joined the Phillies midway through last season and went 5-1 with a 3.63 ERA in nine starts. He made two starts in the World Series against the Yankees and was the losing pitcher New York’s clinching Game 6 victory.
Philadelphia lost left-hander Jamie Moyer to an elbow injury Tuesday night, and it has yet to name its new fifth starter after demoting Kyle Kendrick to the minors. Reports Tuesday indicated the Phillies may be working to acquire Astros right-hander Roy Oswalt.
Sporting News staff reports
The Phillies need pitching help, but Pedro Martinez won’t be providing it.
Martinez’s agent, Fern Cuza, told ESPNDeportes.com on Wednesday the right-hander will sit out this season. Cuza added that Martinez has not decided to retire from baseball.
"After a meeting to discuss his immediate future, Pedro decided he wouldn’t pitch this year, in order to spend more time with his family in the Dominican Republic," the site quoted Cuza, who spoke in Spanish.
"This does not mean Pedro is announcing his retirement from baseball, because the possibility that he changes his opinion for next season still exists. But today, he asked that I call the teams that were interested to reveal his decision."
Cuza said recently that Martinez has yet to throw this year.
Martinez joined the Phillies midway through last season and went 5-1 with a 3.63 ERA in nine starts. He made two starts in the World Series against the Yankees and was the losing pitcher New York’s clinching Game 6 victory.
Philadelphia lost left-hander Jamie Moyer to an elbow injury Tuesday night, and it has yet to name its new fifth starter after demoting Kyle Kendrick to the minors. Reports Tuesday indicated the Phillies may be working to acquire Astros right-hander Roy Oswalt.