Pedro Martinez is getting the ball and the call in another big game.

Philadelphia manager Charlie Manuel chose the aging right-hander over J.A. Happ and Joe Blanton, who made cameo appearances out of the bullpen Thursday, to face the Colorado Rockies in Game 3 of their NL playoff series tonight – weather permitting.

It will be Martinez’s first postseason start since he won Game 3 for Boston at St. Louis in the 2004 World Series.

“Well, every game is really special, but this one makes me look really smart,” Martinez joked, “because I chose this team after waiting a long time. I gave away opportunities to make a lot more money. ... But I waited for the right moment, the right team and I don’t think I could have chosen a better team.”

Hoping to draw interest in March, the 37-year-old free agent pitched for the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic and surprised some with his increased velocity. But Martinez turned down several offers in the spring because he wanted to re-sign with the Mets.

They shunned him, however, after four injury-filled seasons in New York, where the effervescent Dominican won 32 games while playing out a $53 million contract.

So, Martinez sat out most of the season before signing with the Phillies late in the summer. He went 5-1 with a 3.63 ERA in nine starts.

Gonzalez to be exhumed

Venezuelan authorities reportedly will exhume the body of former major league pitcher Geremi Gonzalez to probe whether he was killed last year by lightning, as an autopsy determined, or was the victim of a deadly robbery.

Prosecutors in the western city of Maracaibo plan to exhume the corpse Oct. 29 at his family’s request, the newspaper Diario Panorama said.

Short hops

The Arizona Diamondbacks acquired infielder Tony Abreu from the Dodgers to complete a trade that sent pitcher Jon Garland to Los Angeles. ... Former Washington Nationals manager Manny Acta says he’s been contacted by the Houston Astros about their managerial opening. ... Detroit first base and outfield coach Andy Van Slyke will not be returning to the Tigers. ... New Blue Jays general manager Alex Anthopoulos shook up his front office with a raft of changes to the team’s scouting and development departments. ... Boston Red Sox manager Terry Francona is feeling better after a bout of food poisoning.