This New York Mets’ blistering hot star slugger is now dealing with an injury. The Mets are likely holding their breath.
With less than an hour before the first pitch at Nationals Park on Tuesday, the Mets announced that they scratched star DH J.D. Martinez from the lineup due to a sore left ankle.
Martinez hit a go-ahead three-run home run for the Mets in the 10th inning of Monday night’s 9-7 extra-innings victory over the Washington Nationals in D.C.
J.D. Martinez has really ignited the Mets’ offense over the past 27 games (18-8 record not including tonight)
pic.twitter.com/gp51J48o9z— Pat Ragazzo (@ragazzoreport) July 2, 2024
Martinez’s absence is felt even more with outfielder Brandon Nimmo still out of the starting lineup after suffering a cut on his forehead in a scary hotel room accident early Monday morning. Luckily, Nimmo told Anthony DiComo of MLB.com that he expects to be available off the bench on Tuesday night and back in the lineup on Wednesday.
As for Martinez, the 36-year-old has been one of the Mets’ hottest hitters during their impressive 19-8 stretch. Over his past 15 games, Martinez is slashing .296/.441/.593 with a 1.034 OPS, four home runs, and 16 RBIs.
On the season, Martinez is hitting .278/.360/.493 with a .853 OPS, 10 homers, and 37 RBIs in 56 games. He did not make his debut with the team until late April due to a back issue that delayed his already late arrival from missing big-league Spring Training. The Mets signed Martinez to a one-year, $12 million deal in late March at the eleventh hour of camp.
The Martinez move was surprising from president of baseball operations David Stearns, as the Mets seemed set to go with Mark Vientos at DH this year. Instead, they landed Martinez, who has been raking out of the DH spot. Vientos has also been performing well after claiming the third base job following the struggles of Brett Baty, who got demoted to Triple-A in May.
The severity of Martinez’s ankle soreness is currently unknown, but the Mets are hoping it will not keep him out for an extended period. Stay tuned for further updates on his injury status.
Backup catcher Luis Torrens has replaced Martinez as the DH on Tuesday.
