Red Sox’s Martinez Tests Sore Shoulder

Pitcher Pedro Martinez of the Boston Red Sox, who missed a start because of a sore shoulder, threw for about 10 minutes in the outfield before Thursday night’s game at Boston and is making progress toward returning next week.

“I don’t really know how bad I am until I get to the mound,” he said after the Red Sox lost to the Baltimore Orioles, 5-2. “I’m really optimistic about it.”

Martinez will throw off a mound Saturday, and could be back in the Red Sox rotation early next week.

Team physician Arthur Pappas said Martinez reported a little tightness in the back of his right shoulder, but it was more important to see how quickly Martinez recovers.

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Right-hander John Smoltz of the Atlanta Braves threw for 10 minutes and said he’s ready to come off the disabled list and start Saturday against the Philadelphia Phillies at Philadelphia. . . . Manager Tony La Russa of the St. Louis Cardinals, hospitalized Wednesday after complaining of stomach problems, was released from Good Samaritan Hospital in Cincinnati and returned to St. Louis. He was expected to rejoin the team this week in Colorado or early next week at San Francisco. . . . The Cleveland Indians put right-hander Jaret Wright on the 15-day disabled list because of a strained back muscle. . . . The Baltimore Orioles activated second baseman Delino DeShields from the 15-day disabled list. . . . The date for Darryl Strawberry’s suspension to be reviewed by Commissioner Bud Selig came and went with no announcements or decisions. Strawberry’s 120-day suspension, imposed after he pleaded no contest to cocaine possession and solicitation charges, runs through Aug. 11. But Selig promised to review the case July 22 because of “mitigating health factors.” . . . An MRI on the right elbow of all-star catcher Mike Lieberthal of the Philadelphia Phillies was negative. . . . The Pittsburgh Pirates, already hurting behind the plate because starting catcher Jason Kendall is sidelined for the season, have put current starter Keith Osik on the 15-day disabled list because of a strained left hamstring. . . . Shortstop Kevin Stocker and third baseman Herbert Perry joined baseball’s longest disabled list when both were taken off the active roster by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.