All systems go

Little says Martinez, Garciaparra and Varitek ready

FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) -- Pedro Martinez, Nomar Garciaparra and Jason Varitek have healed from last year's injuries and will be able to play on Opening Day.

"All three of them are coming along fine, and it looks like they'll be ready to start the season," Boston Red Sox manager Grady Little said Monday.

Martinez threw 66 pitches in four innings Saturday, and although he surrendered six runs, said his shoulder feels great. He threw pain-free on the side Monday and is scheduled to make his fourth start Thursday.

Martinez is scheduled to make a fifth start in Florida and, barring setbacks, would start opening day, April 1. Little said Martinez should be ready to pitch five to seven innings on Opening Day.

Varitek and Garciaparra played consecutive games this weekend for the first time this year.

Red Sox 8, Orioles 3 Rickey Henderson hit a two-run homer, Dustin Hermanson had his best start of the spring and Rey Sanchez had four hits Monday as the Boston Red Sox beat the Baltimore Orioles 8-3. Hermanson, who had allowed 12 earned runs in 6 2/3 innings coming in, gave up a two runs and five hits in five innings. Sanchez was 4-for-4 with an RBI to improve his average to .313. He is competing with Jose Offerman for the starting job at second base. • Monday's exhibition roundup.

"Both said they could have played today," Little said Monday.

Garciaparra, who reports no problems with his surgically repaired right wrist, will play at shortstop for three games in a row beginning Wednesday, according to Little.

Varitek, whose season ended in June when he broke his right elbow, will be brought along a bit slower. Little showed confidence by saying he'll keep only two catchers on the Opening Day roster.

Martinez watched video of his outing Saturday and said his "mechanics were fast." On Monday, he worked with new pitching coach Tony Cloninger, who gave him a tip on spinning his breaking ball more.

"I won't be ready until I get at least three starts into the season, nobody is, but good enough to pitch on opening day? I think I should be fine," he said. "Looking back, I haven't pitched since August. It's a little bit longer than normal."

For now, he said, throwing in the mid-90s and waking up the next day without pain is "good enough for me."

Their absence last season devastated the Red Sox, who went 82-79 and finished 13 1/2 games behind AL East-winning New York Yankees.

 

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