Mets lose Fernando Martinez to Astros
New York Mets right fielder Fernando Martinez (26) reacts after striking out to end the top of the eighth inning against the Philadelphia Phillies. (Aug. 8, 2010) Credit: Christopher Pasatieri
PARADISE VALLEY, Ariz. -- The Mets lost former top prospect Fernando Martinez Wednesday when he was claimed on waivers by the Houston Astros.
The Mets had removed Martinez, 23, from the 40-man roster to make room for new signees and would have kept him at Triple-A Buffalo if he had cleared waivers. The oft-injured outfielder has not been able to stay on the field long enough to fulfill the promise he showed when then-general manager Omar Minaya signed him for $1.4 million as a 16-year-old.
Martinez displayed prodigious power for his age, but injuries, including an arthritic knee, prevented him from playing in more than 82 games in any of the last three seasons. A .183 lifetime hitter in 47 major-league games, Martinez will have a better chance to make it with the rebuilding Astros.
Lefthanded reliever Daniel Herrera cleared waivers and was assigned to Buffalo . . . Outfielder Scott Hairston finalized a one-year, $1.1-million with the Mets.
