Pedro Martinez was a key cog in the 2004 team that brought a World Series title to Boston for the first time since 1918. (Elise Amendola/Associated Press)

(PhatzRadio / CBC Sports) — Pedro Martinez has returned to the Boston Red Sox.

On Thursday, Martinez, a three-time Cy Young Award winner and eight-time All-Star, who spent seven seasons in Boston, was brought back to the franchise. He will serve as a special assistant to general manager Ben Cherington.

‘My heart will always live in Boston.’— Pedro Martinez

“(Pedro) was one of the game’s most dominant pitchers and without a doubt a beloved figure in Red Sox history,” Cherington said. “Similar to former teammate Jason Varitek, who joined the baseball operations staff in September, Pedro will be involved in several areas, including the evaluation, mentorship, and instruction of young players in spring training and throughout the season.”

Martinez became a Red Sox starting pitcher in 1998 and was a key cog in the 2004 team that brought a World Series title to Boston for the first time since 1918. With the Red Sox, he went 117-37 with a 2.52 ERA. He has the best winning percentage (.760) in franchise history, and ranks third in strikeouts (1,683) and sixth in wins (117). Martinez is also the franchise’s all-time leader in post-season strikeouts (80).

“I am thrilled to be returning to this organization and to the city I love,” Martinez said. “Ben Cherington’s meetings this week have been outstanding. It is an honour to be back with the Red Sox and help in any way I can. I am grateful to our leaders; I believe in them, and I thank them for allowing me to return to the field and help us win again.

“My heart will always live in Boston.”

During his 18-year major league career, Martinez went 219-100 with a 2.93 ERA and 3,154 strikeouts. His has a career .687 winning percentage, and led the majors in ERA on five occasions, including 1997 with the Montreal Expos (1.90). He also started and notched the win in the 1999 All-Star Game at Fenway Park.

Signed originally in 1988 by the Los Angeles Dodgers, Martinez also played for the New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies.

Shaun Marcum agrees to terms with Mets: source

A person familiar with the deal tells The Associated Press the New York Mets and free agent right-hander Shaun Marcum have agreed to terms on a one-year contract.

The person said Thursday the contract is pending a physical. The person requested anonymity because the deal has not been announced. Several media outlets earlier reported the deal.

The 31-year-old Marcum fills an opening created when Cy Young Award winner R.A. Dickey was traded to Toronto. He’ll join a rotation with Johan Santana, Jonathon Niese, MattRe d Harvey and Dillon Gee.

Marcum went 7-4 with a 3.70 ERA for Milwaukee last season in 21 starts. He missed time with an elbow injury. He also missed the 2009 season after having elbow-reconstruction surgery while with Toronto. Marcum is 57-36 with a 3.76 ERA in seven seasons.

The Mets are the last team to agree to terms with a major league free agent.

Red Sox, Craig Breslow come to terms

The Boston Red Sox signed left-handed pitcher Craig Breslow on Thursday.

Breslow, who had been eligible for salary arbitration, agreed to a two-year contract, with a club option for 2015.

In 63 combined appearances between Arizona and Boston last season, Breslow, 32, went 3-0 with a 2.70 ERA. He was acquired by the Red Sox on July 31 from the Diamondbacks in exchange for pitcher Matt Albers and outfielder Scott Podsednik.

Breslow, a native of New Haven, Conn., and a Yale graduate, has made 60 or more appearances in each of the last four seasons for a total of 282. That ranks fourth among all major league relievers since 2009.

Originally selected by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 26th round of the 2002 June draft, Breslow has a 15-17 record with a 3.00 ERA in 358 career games. In Boston, he is 1-2 with a 3.09 ERA in 36 appearances.

White Sox nab Zach Stewart off waivers from Pirates

The Chicago White Sox say they have acquired right-handed pitcher Zach Stewart off waivers from the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Stewart was 1-4 with an 8.58 ERA in 20 games last season for the White Sox and Boston. He was traded to the Red Sox with infielder Brent Lillibridge on June 24 in exchange for third baseman Kevin Youkilis.

He was traded to Pittsburgh in November and designated for assignment Jan. 17. Stewart originally was acquired by the White Sox from Toronto on in 2011 with pitcher Jason Frasor in exchange for pitcher Edwin Jackson and infielder Mark Teahen.