Martinez Put On DL; Florie Returns

The bad news for the Boston Red Sox was having to put ace Pedro Martinez on the 15-day disabled list Wednesday. The silver lining was resolving the situation with reliever Bryce Florie--for now.

Martinez, who hasn’t won since May 30 and gave up four runs in fewer than five innings in Boston’s 7-6 victory over the Tampa Bay Devil Rays on Tuesday, will be out at least through the All-Star break.

The team said the three-time Cy Young winner was being evaluated for right shoulder soreness and inflammation at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center in Worcester.

The Red Sox filled Martinez’s roster spot with Florie, who is returning to the majors for the first time since being hit in the eye Sept. 8 by a line drive off the bat of the New York Yankees’ Ryan Thompson.

It’s the third consecutive season Martinez has been injured.

“It seems to be a tough stretch for him,” Red Sox catcher Scott Hatteberg said. “But he always seems to come back stronger afterward.”

Martinez is 7-2 with a 2.26 earned-run average in 15 starts.

Florie’s activation came a day after he said he expected his days with the team were likely over.

Boston offered the right-hander a rehabilitation assignment at triple-A Pawtucket on Tuesday, but Florie said he would likely refuse it because he was ready to pitch in the majors.

Florie had also complained that the team and General Manager Dan Duquette communicated poorly with him throughout his nine-month rehabilitation.

Refusing to accept the assignment would have forced the Red Sox to either activate him or place him on waivers for the purpose of an outright assignment or unconditional release.

Because Florie has more than three years of major league service, he had the right to reject an outright assignment and become a free agent.

The point became moot with Martinez’s injury.

“I’m not asking any questions,” Florie said. “I just know that for nine months I’ve hoped and dreamed of getting back into the Boston locker room. I walked in today and I’m playing.”

The Houston Astros traded reliever Jay Powell to the Colorado Rockies for pitcher Ron Villone and cash considerations.

Powell (2-2) had a 3.72 ERA in a team-high 35 appearances for the Astros. But the right-hander failed to earn a save in five opportunities and 12 of 22 runners he inherited scored.

Villone, 30, was 1-3 with a 6.36 ERA in 22 appearances for Colorado, including six starts. He gives the Astros another left-hander. The only other lefty on the staff is closer Billy Wagner.

Powell was the winning pitcher for Florida in Game 7 of the 1997 World Series against Cleveland.

A month after criticizing the Florida Marlins for making “stupid moves,” relief pitcher Dan Miceli was placed on unconditional release waivers. . . . Deion Sanders signed a minor-league contract with the Toronto Blue Jays after being released last week by the Cincinnati Reds. He will report today to triple-A Syracuse, the Blue Jays said. . . . The Arizona Diamondbacks recalled outfielder Jason Conti from Tucson and optioned pitcher Nick Bierbrodt to the triple-A affiliate. . . . The Pittsburgh Pirates placed infielder Pat Meares on the 15-day disabled list because of a sprained left ankle and recalled infielder Luis Figueroa from triple-A Nashville.