Mets pitcher Martinez won’t join N.L. stars

Pedro Martinez pulled out of the All-Star game on Thursday, saying he wouldn’t be able to take the mound in the exhibition because he’ll start for the New York Mets two days earlier.

St. Louis Cardinals manager Tony La Russa, who will lead the N.L. team in Tuesday’s All-Star game at Detroit, was informed of Martinez’s decision in the morning, Mets spokesman Jay Horwitz said.

Martinez is scheduled to start Sunday against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

“To be honest, I want to play. I wanted to go because it’s my first year with the Mets,” Martinez said after New York’s 3-2 victory over Washington.

“I would love to go if I would get at least one more day of rest. With just one day in between games, I can’t pitch like it’s a regular game. I don’t want to hurt myself up there. I would like to compete, but if not, let somebody else go get the opportunity.”

The Mets right-hander is 9-3 with a 2.80 ERA and leads the league with 129 strikeouts.

Two Phillies added to roster

The Philadelphia Phillies tripled their All-Star game representation.

Phillies closer Billy Wagner and shortstop Jimmy Rollins were added to the N.L. roster as replacements for Martinez and Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Cesar Izturis, who went on the disabled list Tuesday with a sore right hamstring.

With the additions, the Phillies have three All-Stars for the first time since 2002, when Rollins, Scott Rolen and Vicente Padilla were on the team. Bobby Abreu was elected to start in the N.L. outfield this year.

Wagner was one of five pitchers on the Internet fan ballot for the final spot on the team, but was beaten out by former Houston teammate Roy Oswalt. Wagner was disappointed because it meant baseball-obsessed sons Bill, 6, and Jeremy, 4, couldn’t go to the game with him.

Rollins’ first thought after learning he’s going to his third All-Star game: He hopes Abreu has room for one more on the private plane he is taking to Detroit. This will be Rollins’ first All-Star game since being elected an N.L. starter in 2002.

Francona leaves it to Rogers

American League manager Terry Francona said it’s up to Kenny Rogers to decide whether he wants to participate in the All-Star game.

Rogers was voted onto the team by his fellow players on Sunday, two days after he was suspended for 20 games and fined $50,000 by baseball commissioner Bud Selig for an angry fit that sent a television cameraman to a hospital and prompted a police investigation.

Because the players’ association appealed, Rogers cannot be penalized until Selig hears the appeal and makes a decision. A hearing has not yet been scheduled for Rogers, who apologized Wednesday for his actions.