Cardinals take a chance on Martinez

[WebHamster]

Jupiter, FL (Sports Network) - Starting pitcher Luis Martinez, Milwaukee's minor league pitcher of the year for 2003, was claimed off waivers by the St. Louis Cardinals on Monday.

The 24-year-old Martinez, who made his major league debut last September, has been accused in a shooting linked to a traffic dispute in Santo Domingo earlier this month. The shooting injured one man with leg and chest wounds.

Martinez made a total of 31 starts in 2003, four of which were for the Brewers when he went 0-3 with a 9.92 ERA. He compiled an 8-5 mark with a 2.58 ERA in 20 starts at Double-A Huntsville and then went a stellar 4-0 with a 0.99 ERA in seven starts at Triple-A Indianapolis.

A lefthander, Martinez struck out 172 hitters in 177 innings last season. He has fanned 586 batters in 599 1/3 innings in his minor league career.

[Pujols100M]

According to another source, martinez is now free to go. Apparently the shooting he was involved in was in self defense. Looks like Milwaukee could have really screqwed the pooch on this one. Everything I've seen says the Cards could have a heck of steal with this kid!

And now it looks like we'l need all the pitching we can get...