TAMPA — When Russell Martin, who is rehabbing from right-knee surgery, is cleared to catch in games, David Wells predicts Yankees pitchers are going to adore throwing to their new teammate.
“They are going to love him. If they don’t I would be surprised,” said Wells, who pitched to Martin in three of the final starts of his major-league career after being traded to the Dodgers in late 2007. “I had a great time throwing to him. He was a blessing, he learned real quickly. I threw to him like I threw to Jorge [Posada]. I trusted him because he knew the National League better than me. This will be a little different because he is in the AL, but he will adjust.”
Wells said Martin is a calming influence when an umpire misses a pitch or squeezes the pitcher.
“He knows how to work the umpires,” Wells said. “I got frustrated at a call and he would come out and say, ‘I got it. Let me take care of it.’ ”
While most eyes were on CC Sabathia yesterday morning when he threw batting practice at George M. Steinbrenner Field, Yankees legend Yogi Berra stood near the batting cage and watched Martin work.
“He did a good job with [Sabathia],” the Hall of Famer said of Martin. “They say he drops balls, but he only dropped one. He is doing good so far.”
Martin won’t make his Yankees debut tomorrow against the Phillies because his knee isn’t 100 percent recovered from December surgery. Yesterday, he dry-blocked balls, but he hasn’t moved side to side to show manager Joe Girardi and the medical staff he is ready to work a game.
“I am not 100 percent and I am trying to be careful,” said Martin, who may not play until the middle of next week. “I am going to go day by day. When I am 100 percent I will be catching.”
Even though Martin won’t be catching right away, he has used the early part of camp to build the relationship Wells spoke of.
“Every day I learn something,” Martin said. “Spring training will be enough time.”
