From the Herald News’ Steve Popper.

Omar Minaya said that Pedro Martinez has begun throwing but will not pitch winter ball in the Dominican Republic. He said that he thought Martinez still could pitch for the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic, but is currently waiting for Nike to supply him with a special shoe to protect his injured big toe.

I certainly hope that when and if this shoe is made available to the public, it is priced affordably, preventing the otherwise inevitable Phil Mushnick entry on the subject.