Martinez to Rotation, Moyer to… Bradenton?

In a move that hasn’t surprised most Phillies fans, Pedro Martinez is slated to make his Phillies debut tonight against the Chicago Cubs. What may be shocking is the amount of influence Phillies’ general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. had in the decision.

Amaro stated publicly last week that lefthander J.A. Happ will remain in the starting rotation. It is difficult to argue with Amaro, considering Happ has been the team’s most consistent starter this season, with an 8-2 record (6-2 as a starter) and a 2.74 ERA.

Martinez has been average in his rehab starts. He is 1-1 with a 5.11 ERA in three starts since being signed by the Phillies, with 16 strikeouts in 12.1 innings. But 11 of those strikeouts came in the final rehab appearance over five innings for Double-A Reading.