DUNEDIN, Fla. -– The Phillies' already thin starting pitching depth took another hit Thursday when Ethan Martin had to leave his first outing of the spring with a right shoulder problem.
“I felt a little discomfort (in the back of the shoulder) warming up and after that I didn’t have much on (the ball),” said Martin, who will be checked by team doctors Friday.
Martin, 24, is one of the hardest throwers in camp. When right, his fastball can reach 97 mph. Manager Ryne Sandberg said he was throwing 85 mph Thursday.
Martin came into the game in the fifth inning and allowed three hits and a walk before Sandberg took him out.
“The ball just wasn’t coming out (well),” Sandberg said.
Martin said he has never had arm trouble before.
His condition is the latest blow to the Phillies’ starting pitching depth. Jonathan Pettibone, who missed two months with a sore shoulder last season, has been sidelined with more shoulder soreness since early in camp. Adam Morgan had shoulder surgery in January. Cole Hamels, of course, is healthy but behind schedule after an offseason bout of shoulder tendinitis.
Pettibone and Martin came into came into camp as, at best, candidates for the fifth starting job and, at worst, prominent arms in the Triple A rotation. Now both are uncertain and the Phillies’ cast of pitching reinforcements is dwindling.
The team’s pitching depth could also be impacted by Miguel Alfredo Gonzalez’ readiness for big-league duty. When Gonzalez signed in August, the team hoped he’d be ready to pitch in the big-league rotation in April. Over time, expectations have been tempered. Gonzalez makes his long-awaited Phillies debut on Saturday against the Yankees in Tampa.
With Pettibone and Martin sidelined, the Phillies might look to add starting depth by stretching B.J. Rosenberg’s innings. Sean O’Sullivan and Jeff Manship, non-roster starters with big-league experience, are in camp, as is David Buchanan, who pitched at Double A and Triple A last season.
“It’s a concern to have a couple guys banged up in the starting pitching,” Sandberg said. “Hamels has come along fine. We’ll see what happens tomorrow with Ethan.”
Lee looks good
On the plus side of the starting pitching equation, Cliff Lee looked like Cliff Lee in his spring debut. He allowed a pair of doubles and a run in the first inning, but recovered nicely. He struck out three in two walk-free innings.
“I felt good, was throwing strikes, and my changeup was working pretty good today,” Lee said. “I was pleased with that. I was working ahead in the count for the most part. I didn’t walk anyone so I feel like mission accomplished.”
Lee talked about frequent trade rumors and the club here.
Revere rides
Ben Revere had three of the Phillies’ six hits. Darin Ruf and John Mayberry Jr. both homered.
The Phillies were 0 for 7 with runners in scoring position and left eight men on base. Sandberg wasn’t particularly happy with the baserunning.
The Phils are 0-2 in Grapefruit League play.
Jimmy Rollins, Ryan Howard, Chase Utley, Marlon Byrd, Domonic Brown and Carlos Ruiz did not make the trip. They worked out in Clearwater and will play Friday.
Up next
Kyle Kendrick makes his spring debut against the Tigers on Friday afternoon in Clearwater.
Gonzalez starts against CC Sabathia and the Yankees in Tampa on Saturday afternoon. Japanese phenom Masahiro Tanaka is expected to make his debut in that game for the Yankees.