Don’t Call McGwire in Pinch

Mark McGwire, out since July 6 with a knee injury, wants to be a full-time player when he returns to the team, not a pinch-hitter as St. Louis Cardinal Manager Tony La Russa plans.

“I’m bored and frustrated and saddened by not playing,” McGwire said. “If I’m going to play, I’m going to play nine innings. When and if I come back, I’ll be playing. I’m not pinch-hitting.”

That would be news to La Russa.

“I don’t care if he just walks up there and stands,” La Russa said. “I don’t think there’s a manager around who wouldn’t manage around him or who wasn’t aware of him.”

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Ramon Martinez, pitching for the first time since going on the disabled list with a bruised right knee Aug. 1, gave up three runs in 4 2/3 innings Sunday for Boston’s triple-A club in Pawtucket, but pronounced himself ready to pitch “any time.” He likely won’t be activated until rosters expand Sept. 1. . . . The Arizona Diamondbacks put first baseman Erubiel Durazo on the 15-day disabled list for the third time this season because of recurring pain in his right wrist.