Martinez Goes on Disabled List

Boston Red Sox ace Pedro Martinez, who leads the majors in wins and the American League in strikeouts, was put on the 15-day disabled list Saturday because of a sore right shoulder.

The move, retroactive to Monday, came a day after an MRI showed swelling in two muscles behind Martinez’s rotator cuff.

Martinez, 15-3 with a 2.51 earned-run average, sat out his scheduled start Friday at Detroit after complaining he couldn’t loosen up during his worst start of the season last Sunday against the Florida Marlins. He lasted only 3 2/3 innings against the Marlins, giving up 12 hits and a career-worst nine runs.

Martinez said his problem might have stemmed from overthrowing in the All-Star Game, when he started at Fenway Park and struck out five of the six batters he faced to earn MVP honors.

The right-hander is eligible to return Aug. 3. His roster spot was taken by left-hander Mark Guthrie, activated from the disabled list after an injury-rehab stint with triple-A Pawtucket.

*

Outfielder Bobby Higginson of the Detroit Tigers was put on the 15-day disabled list because of a sprained right toe. Gabe Alvarez was recalled from triple-A Toledo. . . . The Tampa Bay Devil Rays put pitcher Wilson Alvarez on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to July 18, because of left triceps inflammation. Alvarez is the team’s major league-leading 22nd player on the disabled list this season. The Devil Rays recalled pitcher Alan Newman from triple-A Durham. They also announced that pitcher Scott Aldred is the player to be named in last week’s trade with the Philadelphia Phillies that sent pitcher Marty Barnett to Tampa Bay.