Ramon

Martinez

The Cubs can’t afford any more infield injuries with Aramis Ramirez having a sore groin and Nomar Garciaparra’s many injuries.

It looks like the Cubs are focusing on a minor additions at the moment. They’re trying to add a lefty from a group that includes Ricardo Rincon, Gabe White, Ron Villone, Kent Mercker and Glendon Rusch. Also, they’d like to pick up Jeromy Burnitz, Chris Singleton or Todd Hollandsworth as a fourth outfielder.

Martinez is playing shortstop in place of Rafael Furcal.

Who needs Jeff Kent? Martinez doubled his RBI total for the season. The homer was his second since the start of 2005.

X-rays were negative. If the Dodgers don’t have either Jeff Kent or Martinez available on Thursday, they could go with Willy Aybar at second and Olmedo Saenz at third.

Yeah, OK. This must by GM Jim Hendry’s idea of a response to the Cardinals’ move to call up Jason Simontacchi.

Martinez hit .246/.313/.346 last season, but that’s the worst line of his career. He’ll be useful in a utility role alongside Jason Smith. The Tigers also have Fernando Vina as a possible backup for Omar Infante at second base, but they’ll probably try to dump him.

That seems expensive. Since he’s coming off what was probably his worst year, he didn’t deserve a raise from the $900,000 he made in 2004.

If the Cubs don’t want to use Mark Bellhorn at third base, at least they should give Martinez more time at the position than Lenny Harris. Martinez is currently batting .297, far better than Harris’ .220. Bellhorn did get the start at third tonight and doubled and walked.

Martinez, making his first start since Aug. 22, also singled and walked. The Phillies still should have gotten themselves a right-handed first baseman before the deadline, but for one night anyway, Martinez did a great job as Ryan Howard’s platoon partner.