In 2009, Pedro Martinez waited until August to pitch his first game for the Philadelphia Phillies. He showed good control and strikeout stuff over nine regular-season starts, and he pitched well in the NLCS before having a rough World Series against the Yankees.

But he looked okay for a guy who didn't show up until the season was more than half over. And according to Jerry Crasnick, Roy Oswalt might consider the same strategy in 2012:

After waiting until spring training and failing to land a job to his satisfaction, free agent pitcher Roy Oswalt has told major league clubs that he might pull a Roger Clemens and return midseason, according to a baseball source.

Oh, right. Clemens did that too. Of all the dramatic things.

The main difference between Oswalt and the two should-be Hall of Famers is that Oswalt is just 34. He should be somewhere between the prime and twilight of his career, ready to sign a multi-year deal. But the right-hander pitched only 139 innings last year because of back concerns, and teams are wary of his health. That, and he's being exceptionally selective with the list of teams he'll pitch for.

So if you figured that Oswalt was going to make a decision today, be prepared instead to read his name after any starting pitcher in baseball goes on the DL with an injury of any magnitude. You've been warned.