JD Martinez’s Mets debut on hold for ‘a while’

Field Level Media|published: Sun 7th April, 16:08 2024

Oct 7, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter J.D. Martinez (28) during batting practice before game one of the NLDS for the 2023 MLB playoffs against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Dodger Stadium. credits: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

JD Martinez needs more time to ramp up and will not be making his New York Mets anytime soon.

Mets manager Carlos Mendoza told reporters Sunday that Martinez, 36, will continue to work out at the team's minor league complex in Port St. Lucie, Fla. It was initially thought that Martinez could join the team in Atlanta for a four-game series with the Braves this week.

"We're not going to see him in a while," Mendoza said before the Mets' series finale at the Cincinnati Reds. "He's going to stay down in Port St. Lucie and get more at-bats.

"He's feeling it. We knew he was going to need a lot of time. Not only with the timing and the mechanics, but overall with his body."

Martinez signed a one-year, $12 million deal to join the Mets on March 24. The veteran designated hitter and outfielder bashed 33 home runs for the Los Angeles Dodgers last year and was named to his third straight All-Star Game.

Martinez is a lifetime .287 hitter with 315 homers in 1,522 games for the Houston Astros (2011-13), Detroit Tigers (2014-17), Arizona Diamondbacks (2017), Boston Red Sox (2018-22) and Dodgers.

"We'll be flexible and we'll listen to him," Mendoza said. "It's him telling us how he's responding. It's just fluid between the two sides. That's the fine line we're dealing with here. The last thing you want to do is rush him."

—Field Level Media