Shocker: “90 percent” of the batters Pedro Martinez hit were hit on purpose

By Craig CalcaterraFeb 18, 2013, 5:05 PM EDT
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You don’t have the kind of control that Pedro Martinez had and have 141 pitches go so far away from where you intended them to go that they hit the batter accidentially. Maybe 14 or 15 did, though:

I am Jack’s complete lack of surprise.

I am also still of the opinion that intentionally hitting batters is simply dangerous and simply wrong. I am a complex human being, however, who will temper that viewpoint in this instance because (a) Martinez is retired; (b) Martinez never killed anyone; and (c) he’s Pedro frickin’ Martinez, and such greatness is allowed a little latitude now and again.

Matt Adams placed on DL with fractured left index finger

Mitchell Layton/Getty Images
By Bill BaerJun 19, 2018, 5:10 PM EDT
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The Nationals made a handful of roster decisions on Tuesday, Chelsea Janes of the Washington Post reports. Pitcher Wander Suero was optioned to Triple-A Syracuse and 1B/OF Matt Adams was placed on the 10-day disabled list with a fractured left index finger. With the two open roster spots, the Nationals recalled pitcher Jefry Rodriguez from Syracuse to start against the Orioles and added recently-acquired reliever Kelvin Herrera to the roster.

Adams, 29, was hit on the hand attempting to lay down a bunt on Friday. He has been quite productive for the Nationals this year, batting .275/.351/.575 with 13 home runs and 36 RBI in 171 plate appearances.

Adams was splitting time at first base with Mark Reynolds. Daniel Murphy drew starts at first base over the weekend, so it could be a Reynolds/Murphy split there now with Wilmer Difo remaining at second base.

In his major league debut on June 3, the 24-year-old Rodriguez pitched 4 2/3 scoreless innings in relief of Jeremy Hellickson, who lasted just one-third of an inning. Tuesday’s start will be his first at the big league level. At Double-A Harrisburg this season, Rodriguez posted a 3.31 ERA with a 72/28 K/BB ratio in 68 innings.