Martinez Gives Duquette Healthy Dose of Criticism

Pitcher Pedro Martinez of the Boston Red Sox has a minor tear in his rotator cuff and criticized Boston General Manager Dan Duquette for saying he was healthy.

“What I don’t appreciate is Duquette saying I’m healthy because then it is not true,” Martinez said Tuesday before Boston’s game against the Cleveland Indians. “I’m doing the best that I can to help the team, but I’m not 100%.

“I think Dan knows as much about medicine as I do, maybe less,” he added. “That’s why I’m surprised he said I’m healthy.”

The three-time Cy Young Award winner has made two starts since coming off the disabled list Aug. 26 after being diagnosed with a minor tear in his rotator cuff. His normal turn in the rotation would be Friday night, when Boston plays at Yankee Stadium.

But he said his arm was sore and he’d wait to see how he feels later in the week before deciding whether to make that start.

The Red Sox, meanwhile, announced that they had terminated pitching coach John Cumberland’s contract for failing to report to the team’s minor league base at Fort Myers, Fla., where he had been reassigned.

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Chicago Cub right-hander Kerry Wood threw about two dozen pitches off a mound and Manager Don Baylor deemed the right-hander ready for his first start in more than a month.

Wood is scheduled to pitch Friday against Greg Maddux as the Cubs open a three-game series against Atlanta at Wrigley Field.

Wood has been on the disabled list since Aug. 4 because of tendinitis in his right shoulder.

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The Baseball Hall of Fame has asked the St. Louis Cardinals for the cap worn by rookie pitcher Bud Smith, 21, during his no-hitter on Monday night against San Diego.

Hall of Fame officials have also asked for a game ball signed by Smith, which would be included in a display that features a ball from each of the 141 major-league no-hitters since 1940.

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The San Francisco Giants recalled left-hander Chad Zerbe and outfielder Jalal Leach from triple-A Fresno. Leach joined a major league roster for the first time after 1,368 games over 12 seasons in the minor leagues.... The Arizona Diamondbacks requested unconditional release waivers for catcher Mike DiFelice, who was arrested last month on charges he assaulted two women in a Pittsburgh nightclub. DiFelice was recalled from triple-A Tucson before the move .... Catcher Pat Borders, who played in two World Series and four AL championship series with the Toronto Blue Jays, was recalled by the Seattle Mariners from triple-A Tacoma .... The Chicago White Sox activated designated hitter Harold Baines from the disabled list.