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Martinez's Father Dies

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The Associated Press

The Tampa Tribune

Published: July 25, 2008

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic - New York Mets pitcher Pedro Martinez headed home to the Dominican Republic on Thursday following the death of his father.

Martinez's father, Pablo Jaime, died Wednesday at age 79 after battling a form of brain cancer for more than a year. Martinez had gone home just before the All-Star break to be with his father.

Jaime was also the father of former major-league pitcher Ramon Martinez.

Pedro Martinez, who is returning home to help with funeral arrangements, had been scheduled to pitch tonight against St. Louis. Instead, Mike Pelfrey will start for the Mets.

BATS: During the last three weeks, every bat in Major League Baseball that has shattered, chipped, cracked or smashed during a game has been collected so they can be analyzed, part of a heightened effort to deal with the safety concerns caused by the proliferation of broken bats.

CUBS: Placed closer Kerry Wood on the disabled list for the 12th time in his 10-year career because of a blister on his pitching hand. The Cubs are expected to make a corresponding move before today's game.

PADRES: Shortstop Cole Figueroa signed a contract with San Diego on Thursday night and will forego his final two seasons at the University of Florida. He was a sixth-round pick (195th overall) in June's draft and has been assigned to the Eugene (Ore.) Emeralds of the Northwest League.

RED SOX: With slugger David Ortiz apparently ready to come off the disabled list, Boston optioned outfielder Brandon Moss to Triple-A Pawtucket.

The Red Sox said they would fill Moss' roster spot today before the opener of a weekend series with the New York Yankees. The team was expected to activate Ortiz after he completed a six-game minor-league rehab stint. Ortiz has been on the disabled list since May 30 with a wrist injury.

ROYALS: Placed outfielder Joey Gathright on the 15-day disabled list with a lingering shoulder injury and recalled outfielder Mitch Maier from Triple-A Omaha.

Gathright has been bothered by a bone bruise in his right shoulder this season.

YANKEES: Co-chairman Hank Steinbrenner acknowledged he'd mention Barry Bonds, the indicted home run king who became a free agent when the Giants did not bring him back, as the Yankees consider ways to improve the team for the stretch run.

Team officials gathered for high-level meetings at their spring training complex Thursday in Tampa.

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