FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) – If his ailing toe holds up, Pedro Martinez might pitch at Fenway Park for the New York Mets in June. Red Sox fans, though, could see signs of his style in April from Boston’s current ace, Curt Schilling.

Enjoying a healthy spring training after struggling with ankle problems all last season, Schilling is developing the effective technique that his teammate on Boston’s 2004 World Series champions is notorious for – pitching inside.

“It makes you better. I’ve watched Pedro do it. I watched RJ (Randy Johnson) do it, and I’ve seen (Roger) Clemens do it,” Schilling said. “It’s a weapon that I’ve never felt that I’ve used to any extent in the past. And I’m going to use it.”

Schilling pitched three innings Tuesday in an intrasquad game against Red Sox minor leaguers. He threw 48 pitches, 35 for strikes, and yielded three hits, while striking out four without a walk and also worked on developing his changeup. He did bean a batter.

“I’m trying to pitch aggressively in, now. It’s something I’ve always needed to do,” Schilling said. “I’ve never really been efficient at it and I’m going to change that this year.”

That’s the pitch he worked on Tuesday.

“I heard he hit somebody in the head,” manager Terry Francona said. “That’s in.”

On his fifth pitch of the game, Schilling’s high fastball glanced off of the helmet of Jeff Natale, a second baseman drafted in the 32nd round last year who has played in just 59 pro games, all at the Single-A level.

“I’m not trying to hit people, but at the same time hitters were very comfortable facing me last year, much more so last year than any year in the past,” Schilling said. “But there’s something you can do about that as a pitcher and you’ve got to be proactive and do it.”

After spending 76 days on the disabled list last season, he returned to the Red Sox last July 13 but found that hitters didn’t have any of the usual concerns associated with facing the two-time World Series winner.

He compiled a 5.69 ERA with an 8-8 record while starting and filling a need as the closer. Those struggles contributed to his decision to pitch inside more.

“Last year had something to do with it, getting kicked around as much as I did,” Schilling said. “You get tired of it.”

Before the injury, the outstanding power pitcher had little reason to tinker with his approach.

“He was having a lot of success. You’re winning 20 games and you’re starting all-star games. If it’s not broken don’t mess with it,” Francona said. “Even at that point in his career when he was striking out 300, he’d throw 97 (mph) away and he didn’t throw in that much with his fastball.”

When Martinez, a pitching artist with pinpoint command, threw inside there rarely was a question about the ball getting away from him.

“The problem with hitters I think was they weren’t sure who he (Pedro) wanted to hit,” Schilling said. “And he wasn’t afraid to hit anybody.”

Martinez knows the value of controlling the plate and capitalizing on a timely purpose pitch. Schilling has taken note.

“You guys saw Pedro do it here year after year,” Schilling said. “There were games where he didn’t throw at anybody and guys still had trouble getting to the outside corner because of that inherent concern. And that’s not something anybody has had to worry about facing me.”

Clement goes three

Matt Clement also pitched three innings in the game. He threw 32 of his 48 pitches for strikes and allowed two runs, one of them earned, two hits and a walk with five strikeouts. He is one of seven potential starters.

, the Red Sox could try to trade Clement. “Obviously, I hope it isn’t the last day of spring training or at the beginning of the season,” he said. “It’s a harder move for my family and for myself to get acclimated to a new team or anywhere else. But, you know, I’m not expecting it to happen. They haven’t given me any indication it might happen.” Clement, who underwent offseason knee surgery, said, “Everything feels good. I feel strong.”

AP-ES-03-07-06 1921EST