Pedro close to signing with Phillies: Report

Monday July 13, 2009 6:34 PM By Pete Catapano

Pedro Martinez could sign with the Phillies as soon as Wednesday (AP Photo)

By Pete Catapano

Former Met ace Pedro Martinez is inching closer to joining the Amazin’s top rival, reports say.

Martinez, 37, is expected to take a physical with the Philadelphia Phillies today and sign with the team as early as tomorrow.

The veteran righty, who’s a lock for the Hall of Fame, hasn’t pitched since Sept. 25 with the Mets.

Martinez was reportedly looking for $5 million for this season but with few takers, he’s willing to take even less than a prorated percentage of that figure, according to Fox Sports.

Last season, Martinez missed almost two months of after straining his left hamstring in spring training, then went 5-6 with a 5.61 ERA in 20 starts.

Desperate for pitching help, the world champion Phillies are 14th in the National League with a 4.61 team ERA, but lead the second place Marlins by four games in the NL East and the fourth place Mets by 6.5 games.

Last week, Martinez is reported to have worked three innings in a simulated game against a Phillies summer league team, with his fastball clocked at up to 93 mph.

"I feel the best I have for some time," Martinez said.

Martinez is 214-99 with a 2.91 ERA in 17 seasons with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Montreal, Boston and the Mets. He helped the Red Sox win the World Series in 2004.

(with AP)