The Phillies are talking to Pedro Martinez about returning to the team to pitch during the second half of the season, ESPN.com reports.
Martinez joined the Phillies during last season and started two games in their World Series loss to the Yankees. He went 5-1 in nine regular-season starts.
“We have talked to his agent, but there’s nothing so far,” Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. told the website. “We are not negotiating, but we’ve been talking to him. It all depends on whether he wants to play or not.”
After throwing out the first pitch for the Red Sox on Opening Day, Martinez said he planned to play again this season.
“I’m in good shape, real good — it doesn’t take me that long to get ready,’’ Martinez said in April.
YES Network is reporting that the Phillies “would love” to have Cliff Lee back on the team.
The Phillies dealt the starting pitcher to Seattle in the offseason after acquiring him from Cleveland at the trade deadline last season.
The Mariners say the free-agent-to-be is not on the trade market but teams are asking about him with Seattle in last place in the AL West.
“I can’t prevent anyone from calling me and asking me,” general manager Jack Zduriencik told FOXSports.com. “That’s what happens. Have I taken names? No, I have not done that yet.
“People call. The thing is, they don’t want to embarrass you and say, ‘You’re out of it.’ People are courteous. They say, ‘If you’re thinking of doing something, give me a call.”