Pedro Martinez Will Not Return To Major Leagues In 2010

Via ESPN Deportes' Enrique Rojas and run through Google Translate:

Although he had several offers on the table, the pitcher Pedro Martinez decided that he will not play in 2010, but is not prepared to leave the baseball final, his agent said on Wednesday ESPNdeportes.com.

"After a meeting to decide his immediate future, decided that Pedro will not pitch this year to spend more time with his family in the Dominican Republic, Fernando Cuza said in phone call to ESPNdeportes.com.

It's important to note that Pedro is not retiring. He is simply opting, for 2010, to stay with his family instead of trying to make a comeback. Anyway, this takes him off the board, just in case anyone was still considering him as an option.

You've heard this story a million times before, but that's mostly because it's the story that never dies:

The Philadelphia Phillies have talked to Pedro Martinez and his agent about a possible comeback similar to last year, when the right-hander was a starting pitcher for the National League champions in August and into the postseason.

"We have talked to his agent, but there's nothing so far," Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said. "We are not negotiating, but we've been talking to him. It all depends on whether he wants to play or not."

The Phillies have been talking with Pedro off and on for a while, now, so in that regard, this isn't really news. However, given the state of their rotation, one senses that Philadelphia might be operating with a little more urgency than usual. Though Roy Halladay and Cole Hamels have been excellent, there hasn't been any kind of consistency behind them, as the rest of the rotation has combined for 127 runs, 100 walks, 56 walks, and 32 homers in 203 innings.

It seems like the Pedro Martinez reunion in Philly is just talk at this point:

You've read this several times over the past couple months, but in light of an ESPN Deportes story that has gained some traction, it bears repeating. The Phillies and Pedro Martinez are not close to an agreement that would bring the veteran righthander back to the Phillies. The two sides have maintained open communication since the end of last season, and Martinez remains an option for the Phillies should they find themselves in need of starting pitching later in the season. But as of right now, the coaching staff and front office feel like their best course of action is to evaluate their current rotation before making any drastic decisions.

Pedro signed with the Phillies midway through last season and found good results. Martinez, 38, went 5-1 with a 3.63 ERA in nine starts. He started two World Series games and surrendered seven runs in 10 innings.