The Associated Press on Pedro Martinez’ latest workout :
Martinez threw 62 pitches, nearly double his previous high of 34 this year. He removed the two gel pads from his right shoe between his warmup and bullpen session, stating it would help him better understand how his right big toe feels.
“It was a really good day,” Martinez said. “I felt a little bit uncomfortable but nothing to stop what I’m doing.”
He worked on location and breaking balls more than he has in his past spring bullpens and felt encouraged.
“I could get into a game right now and throw a strike,” he said. “but I want to face batters in a bullpen first … I feel better. To me, it’s not an issue whether I pitch opening day or second day.”
Martinez’s right big toe hurts due to the repeated motion of his followthrough. He stopped twice to address the surface of the practice mound with pitching coach Rick Peterson and chief operating officer Jeff Wilpon, and groundskeepers used a large tractor and tiller to break up the sun-baked clay.
After Martinez threw his last pitch, Wilpon (above) met with more than half a dozen groundskeepers, including head groundskeeper Tommy Bowes. The group got to work smoothing down the six practice mounds.
“The mounds need some work,” Wilpon said.
The White Sox have acquired IF Alex Cintron from the Diamondbacks in exchange for P Jeff Bajenaru.
The afternoon after Team Canada allowed 8 runs to the powerhouse that is the South African national side, Orioles prospect Adam Loewen has held the USA’s star-studded lineup to no runs and 3 hits through 3 innings in Phoenix. Dontrelle Willis and Al Leiter were shelled ; Jason Bay and Corey Koskie I can understand, but see what happens when you take Stubby Clapp lightly?
I think we can all agree that Wayne Gretzky did a terrific job in putting the Canadian team together.
Adam Stern just hit an inside the park HR to put Canada up, 8-0. Only two more runs before the mercy rule kicks in.
i believe the powerhouse canada allowed score 8 runs was south africa.
maybe it was a fairly typical spring training game,but it was still very entertaining to see the usa lose to [my] team canada! gretz has done a helluva job,hope he had janet place his bets!
i do like the usa jerseys though.
For the third time since I started reading this blog last October, you have reported news about the Diamondbacks by calling them another team.
The Hater Nation is more accurate and newsworthy than CSTB.
Perhaps you should hire a high school student to proofread the blog.
Ed, William, if you were both any more right than you are already, your names would be Barry Goldwater.
It’s been a tough day. Rushed errors sometimes occur, and other attempts at fixing them fell flat while unable to get online for a stretch. I offer this not as an excuse, but an explanation.
re : The Hater Nation. Yes, for the most part, the blog in question is far more newsworthy than CSTB. However, on most days, CSTB is slightly more “work-safe”, and for those hoping for a blander-than-bland reading experience, well, I don’t need to tell you, Ed. You’re already here!
I do like the hiring the high schooler idea, but I think someone not nearly as long in the tooth would be up to the task.
Nice. Gotta love it when someone makes the shit-talker look like a dickhead through self-deprication.
Yes, already here – can’t get enough of the subtle/sometimes not-so-subtle humor.
And besides, it beats the hell out of the CBSSportsline, Yahoo, ESPN continual regurgitation of the same AP stories the newspaper contains.
I suggest only that you get out to the local mall, buy a D-Backs hat, and get ready to be disappointed.
I (heart) Sportsline for box scores…when it doesn’t make my browser crash.
Ed, there’s a thin line between constructive criticism and shit-talking. Since I’ve never learned where that line lies, I thank you for one or the other.