Martinez Probably Won’t Go Sunday

Boston right-hander Pedro Martinez probably won’t pitch against Toronto on Sunday, the second consecutive start he won’t make because of an injury.

“We’re not going to let him pitch if he can’t pitch,” Red Sox Manager Grady Little said Wednesday.

The three-time Cy Young Award winner rode a bicycle for about a half-hour before Boston’s game against New York on Wednesday, but it was unclear whether he would throw.

He played catch Monday for the first time since starting against the Yankees on Aug. 28.

Little said Martinez has a hip injury and Martinez said his groin is bothering him.

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Seattle utility player Mark McLemore will have surgery today to remove bone chips in his right elbow.

But the Mariners said they hope to have McLemore back this season. They said he could return in two weeks.

The regular season ends Sept. 29.

McLemore, who will be 38 on Oct. 4, is batting .272 with a career-high seven homers, 41 runs batted in and 18 stolen bases.

He can play third base, second base, shortstop and the outfield.

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Mariner Manager Lou Piniella said right-hander Joel Pineiro has a sore left hip, and that his next start will be delayed two days until Tuesday at Texas.

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Toronto pitcher Chris Carpenter will sit out nine to 12 months after having surgery on his right shoulder to repair a small tear.

Carpenter has been on the disabled list since Aug. 14.

“The worst-case scenario is that he’ll be out a year. The best-case scenario would be eight to nine months,” General Manager J.P. Ricciardi said.

Carpenter, 27, said he hurt the shoulder during a start at Oakland on August 13.

Carpenter had a 4-5 record and a 5.28 earned-run average in 13 starts. He pitched the season opener.

The Blue Jays also said right-hander Luke Prokopec will have his sore right shoulder examined by an orthopedic surgeon today.

Prokopec is on the 60-day disabled list. The former Dodger hasn’t pitched since Aug. 23.

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San Diego released right-hander Bobby J. Jones because they need his rotation spot to continue auditioning young pitchers.

Jones, who was 7-8 with a 5.50 ERA, wouldn’t have started again this season and would have gotten little work out of the bullpen, General Manager Kevin Towers said.

The Padres had a $6.125-million option on Jones for 2003.