Padres finalize contract with reliever Chad Qualls

By Drew SilvaJan 19, 2011, 7:08 PM EST
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It was reported last week that the Padres and right-hander Chad Qualls were close to agreement on a one-year contract.  That deal is now official and Corey Brock of MLB.com has the financial terms.

Qualls will make $1.5 million this season and another $1.05 million if his club option for 2012 is not exercised.

The 32-year-old posted a disappointing 7.32 ERA and 1.80 WHIP across 59 inning last season for the Diamondbacks and Rays, but he was the victim of bad luck all season and he still throws a fastball that averaged 92.1 MPH in 2010.

Our guess is that he will bounce back in San Diego, where the ballpark is very pitcher-friendly and where he is going to be asked to serve mostly as a middle reliever.  Qualls is probably fourth in line for saves behind Heath Bell, Mike Adams and Luke Gregerson.

Cardinals shut down Carlos Martínez for two weeks due to shoulder issue

Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images
By Bill BaerFeb 19, 2019, 6:15 PM EST
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MLB.com’s Jenifer Langosh reports that the Cardinals are shutting down pitcher Carlos Martínez from throwing for two weeks because his shoulder strength isn’t where it should have been at this point. Langosch added that an MRI showed no structural damage in Martínez’s right shoulder.

Interestingly, president of baseball operations John Mozeliak didn’t sound too happy with Martínez offseason training regimen. Per Mark Saxon of The Athletic, Mozeliak said, “Obviously, there’s a history with Carlos’ shoulder and it would be probably in everybody’s best interest if he maintained a constant or perpetual approach to that program.”

Martínez, 27, battled oblique and shoulder injuries last year. He accrued just 118 2/3 innings, making just 18 starts. He was moved to the bullpen when he returned from the disabled list in August and finished out the season in that role. Still, Martínez managed a 3.11 ERA with 117 strikeouts and 60 walks.

Langosch reported last week that the Cardinals were considering using Martínez in relief again in 2019. The latest news may push the Cardinals to indeed use Martínez out of the bullpen once again. He will be reevaluated in early March, but there is a chance he won’t be ready for Opening Day.