Boston closer expects to miss rest of season
Jonathan Papelbon’s outstanding rookie season probably is over – and his days as Boston’s closer could be, too.
Sidelined by a sore shoulder since Sept. 1, Papelbon said Friday he doesn’t expect to pitch again this season, and he’s already planning a switch to the starting rotation next year.
“I’m probably going to be done for the year right now, unless something crazy happens,” Papelbon said.
“I just think it’s smart, especially with what happened to (Francisco) Liriano. He’s a young pitcher. If we were in this thing still, I’d go out and pitch.”
Liriano, another contender for American League Rookie of the Year, recently missed a month of action because of an ailing elbow. The Minnesota Twins left-hander tried to return from the injury, but left his comeback start Wednesday after only 28 pitches, saying he heard a pop in his elbow.
“The thing with Liriano has really opened up our training staff’s eyes, and a lot of people’s eyes in the major leagues,” Papelbon added before Boston’s scheduled game against the New York Yankees was postponed by rain.
Papelbon said the plan to become a starter next year is not definite – but he was already thinking seriously about joining the Red Sox rotation alongside Curt Schilling, Josh Beckett and Tim Wakefield.
“If you look at what’s going on next year, Schilling, Beckett, me and Wake – we could have something,” Papelbon said.
Martinez has rough return
New York Mets starter Pedro Martinez lasted only three innings in his return from the disabled list at Pittsburgh.
Martinez, who had been on the disabled list with a strained right calf since Aug. 14, appeared distraught in the dugout and was consoled by manager Willie Randolph and pitching coach Rick Peterson.
Against the Pirates, Martinez threw 68 pitches – 46 for strikes – and allowed four runs, six hits and one walk with four strikeouts. He hit a batter, threw a wild pitch and committed a throwing error.
Clearing the bases
Andy Pettitte will miss his next scheduled start for Houston because of an elbow injury. … Cory Lidle will miss his next scheduled start for the New York Yankees because of tendinitis in the index finger on his pitching hand. … San Francisco pitcher Jason Schmidt was scratched from his scheduled start with tightness in his back. … The Detroit Tigers claimed first baseman-outfielder Matt Stairs off waivers from the Texas Rangers. … Tampa Bay has reached an agreement with Charlotte County to move the team’s spring training site from St. Petersburg to Port Charlotte beginning in February 2009.