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Help on the way? Pedro, Saberhagen pitch without pain Thursday
BOSTON (AP) -- Pedro Martinez and Bret Saberhagen threw simulated games without pain Thursday, raising hopes that the Cy Young Award winners would overcome their shoulder problems and return to Boston's rotation this month. Saberhagen threw 63 pitches off the Fenway Park mound and Martinez followed with 60 before Thursday night's game against Seattle. Red Sox players stood in as hitters. "I felt good," said Martinez, who threw about 10 curveballs. He plans another simulated game next week in Anaheim, where Boston plays four games, and said that "if I feel confident enough," he could return to the Red Sox right after that. "Today, even though my breaking stuff was good and everything looked good, I don't feel confident yet to go and face batters," Martinez said. Martinez, winner of the last two AL Cy Young Awards, went on the disabled list June 26 with a 7-2 record and 2.26 ERA with 150 strikeouts in 103 2/3 innings. Saberhagen won the award with Kansas City in 1986 and 1989 but has been plagued by arm problems since 1995. He ended a nearly 22-month major league layoff July 27 when he allowed three hits in six innings and beat the Chicago White Sox 9-5. He struggled in his next two starts, fell to 1-2, and was placed on the disabled list Aug. 8 when starting pitcher Frank Castillo came off of it. Saberhagen said he probably could have made his next start but the team needed the roster spot. "It felt good" during the simulated game, said Saberhagen, who strained the shoulder and is eligible to be activated next Thursday. "I got five innings in and everything went as good as can be expected." Joe Kerrigan, who took over for fired manager Jimy Williams before Thursday's game, said a stable rotation was a key to the Red Sox playoff chances. "Getting our pitching straightened out once we get Martinez and Saberhagen back in the rotation, I think it stabilizes everything," said Kerrigan, Boston's pitching coach since 1997. "Stability is so important with your starting pitching." John Cumberland, who moved from bullpen coach to pitching coach, said it was important to see how Martinez and Saberhagen feel Friday. He also said Hipolito Pichardo, a middle reliever on the disabled list, threw well in his simulated game. "We definitely want them back as soon as they feel like they're ready to help us," he said, "because they definitely can help us." When will that be for Saberhagen? "I guess you'll have to talk to the manager about that," he said with a smile. "I hope he has time for me." The time when he and Martinez return can't come soon enough for the Red Sox. "My teammates like me a lot," Martinez said. "We have a good time together. I've been away so long, they probably miss me a little bit."
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