Phillies talk to Martinez about comeback

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NEW YORK -- The Philadelphia Phillies have talked to Pedro Martinez and his agent about a possible comeback similar to last year, when the right-hander was a starting pitcher for the National League champions in August and into the postseason.

"We have talked to his agent, but there's nothing so far," Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said. "We have talked. We are not negotiating or anything like that, but we have talked to him. It also depends on whether he wants to play or not."

Sources close to Martinez told ESPNdeportes.com that he plans to pitch in the second half of the season and that he is undergoing a physical conditioning regimen in the Dominican Republic and Miami.

Martinez, 38, finished the 2009 season with a 5-1 record and a 3.63 ERA in nine starts for Philadelphia. The three-time Cy Young Award winner did not have the same success in the playoffs; he was 0-2 with a 3.71 ERA, including two starts against the New York Yankees in the World Series.

Amaro said talks between the team, Martinez and his agent began "a few weeks ago. We have talked to Pedro, but we don't know [yet]."

The Phillies, considered a heavy favorite to reach the playoffs at the beginning of the season, are in third place in the NL East, 3½ games behind the Atlanta Braves.

Enrique Rojas covers Major League Baseball for ESPNdeportes.com.

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Enrique Rojas

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Enrique Rojas is a reporter and columnist for ESPNdeportes.com and ESPN.com.