Johnson, Martinez Sidelined

Randy Johnson and Pedro Martinez have a lot in common. They are power pitchers. Martinez is the best pitcher in the American League, Johnson is the best pitcher in the Natonal League. Here’s something else: Both will miss their next start because of an injury.

Johnson, the 1999 Natonal League Cy Young Award winner, had a cortisone injection after experiencing tightness in his pitching shoulder and will miss his next scheduled start for the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Johnson (9-1) believes that a “slight flaw” in his mechanics caused the tightness. Instead of starting Monday against the Chicago Cubs, Johnson plans to spend the time working on the side in an attempt to correct the unspecified flaw.

Martinez (8-2)--the 1999 American League Cy Young Award winner--said he will miss his scheduled start today at Philadelphia because of sore side muscle.

“It’s not a big deal,” said Martinez, now scheduled to pitch Thursday. “I could pitch on it tomorrow and be fine. We’re just trying to be careful with it.”

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Outfielder Manny Ramirez was put on the 15-day disabled list by the Cleveland Indians. Ramirez injured his leg while running out a grounder in Monday’s game against the Angels. . . . Padre left-hander Sterling Hitchcock will undergo reconstructive surgery on his left elbow Tuesday and will be sidelined at least a year. . . . The Mets traded pitcher Bill Pulsipher to Arizona for infielder Lenny Harris. . . . The Cubs recalled outfielder Gary Matthews Jr. and optioned infielder Julio Zuleta to triple-A Iowa. . . . Seattle sent infielder Carlos Guillen to triple-A Tacoma and activated left-hander Jamie Moyer from the disabled list.