Friday, August 7, 1998
Martin makes
pitch to return
to mound
By Al Chase
Star-BulletinJeff Martin would like nothing better than to experience an injury-free baseball season.
He has enjoyed that luxury just once since his first professional campaign in 1995. Even the 1997 season was marred for a month while he recovered from a strained muscle in his rib cage.
In 1996 and again this season, Martin has been sidelined with a strained ulna collateral ligament in his right arm.
This year the pain struck in the fourth inning of his second start.
"It was the same feeling as before, like a pull or separation, a sharp pain," said Martin, a 6-foot-1, 200-pound right-hander who has pitched a mere six innings in 1998. "There was no question what happened."
It wasn't long before the Pittsburgh Pirates sent Martin to their training facility in Bradenton, Fla., to start rehabilitation.
Martin, who played three years for Kailua High School, was beginning his second season with Pittsburgh's farm team at Lynchburg, Va., in the Class A Carolina League.
In 1996, he successfully rehabilitated without surgery, recovering in time to pitch in the Hawaii winter league that fall. He said the arm felt stronger pitching here than before the injury.
However, for the past 10 weeks, Martin's day has started with a heat pack on his right arm, then ultrasound followed by a light massage. Next comes the weight room for exercises to strengthen the forearm and shoulder followed by full-body workouts, upper one day and lower the next.
He was examined in Pittsburgh by the Pirates' team doctor two weeks ago and received permission to begin a two-week throwing program. If he didn't feel any pain, the chances of him escaping surgery again would be good.
He started with soft throws from 60 feet July 20. That lasted three days. After a day off, the distance increased to 75 feet for three days. Then it was 90 feet, and early this week 120 feet. The goal: To get back on the mound for five minutes of bullpen work.
"So far I'm doing a lot better," Martin said. "I had some apprehension, but I was more optimistic than the first time. Everything has gone real well.
"I'm not looking too far ahead. I just want to focus on that day and hope everything goes well."
It took him three months to pitch competitively again in 1996. He hopes for a similar scenario this summer. There wouldn't be time for Martin to prepare for a starting assignment, but to pitch a couple innings of relief would boost his confidence.
The Pirates have suggested he spend the fall in the instructional league.
"If I'm healthy enough by the end of the season, I want my agent to get me in winter ball . . . anywhere," Martin said.
"I want to prove I belong on a roster. I haven't pitched all year so you want to do anything possible to let people know how good you are. I want to show Pittsburgh I still have what they got in the trade."
Martin, 21, was drafted in the eighth round by Kansas City in 1995, but traded to the Pirates that December as part of the Jay Bell deal.
He is happy in the Pittsburgh organization. Martin says the opportunity to advance quickly is there with the Pirates. He just has to stay healthy.
Height: 6-1. Weight: 199. Throws: Right. Bats: Right. Birth date: January 25, 1974 Jeff Martin's
Career StatisticsSchools: Kailua High School; Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas) High School.
Pitching record
Year, Team, League G IP W L Pct. H ER BB SO ERA 1995-Royals, Gulf Coast League 11 55 3 1 .750 35 9 11 53 1.47 1996-Wilmington, Carolina League 5 20-1/3 0 1 .000 24 11 5 12 4.87 1997-Lynchburg, Carolina League 24 115 8 10 .444 139 74 48 101 5.77 1998-Lynchburg, Carolina League 2 6 0 0 .000 6 6 5 5 9.00 Minor League totals 42 196-1/3 11 12 .478 204 100 69 171 4.58Drafted in 8th round, regular phase, by the Kansas City Royals, June 1, 1995.
Traded by the Kansas City Royals along with third baseman Joe Randa and pitchers Jeff Granger and Jeff Wallace to the Pittsburgh Pirates for shortstop Jay Bell and first baseman Jeff King, December 13, 1996.
Placed on the disabled list (right elbow), April 20, 1998.
Led the Gulf Coast League in earned run average (1.47) in 1995.
