Pedro’s Minor League Start Cut Short by Rain

CLEARWATER, Fla. — Pedro
Martinez's first minor league rehab start in preparation for a comeback
with the Philadelphia Phillies was cut short by rain on Sunday.

The 37-year-old right-hander worked 1
1/3 innings for the Class A Clearwater Threshers before the Florida
State League game against the St. Lucie Mets was stopped because of a
downpour.

Martinez, who signed a one-year, $1
million contract this month after sitting out the first half of the
season, hit a batter and allowed one hit during a 20-pitch first inning
that was delayed more than 30 minutes by an early afternoon storm.

It was raining again by the time he
took the mound for the second inning. After retiring the leadoff batter
on a first-pitch fly ball, the three-time Cy Young Award winner threw
three more pitches before play was stopped.

Martinez threw 14 of his 24 pitches for strikes.

The game was called after a 34-minute
delay. By that time, Martinez had trotted up the left-field line to the
home clubhouse at the Phillies' spring training stadium, and officials
later said he would throw another 50 or so pitches indoors in simulated
game conditions.