ATLANTA — Due to lower back discomfort, J.D. Martinez’s Mets debut is not scheduled for this week, and his availability for the upcoming homestand is also in doubt.
Manager Carlos Mendoza reports that the veteran designated hitter (DH), who has been gradually increasing his at-bat total in the minor leagues following a stay in extended spring training, had a cortisone shot on Tuesday for the soreness and won’t be able to bat for three to five days.
Mendoza stated that Martinez, 36, had a history of lower back pain and desired to have the shot in advance of the condition.
“This is something he’s dealt with the past few years, and he felt it again,” Mendoza said before the Mets faced the Braves at Truist Park. “Look, after just two weeks, this guy has nearly 80 at-bats.” When position players report to spring training, I don’t believe any of them have such a rapid ramp up.
Shortly before spring training ended, Martinez signed a $12 million one-year contract with the Mets.
He agreed to let the Mets option him to the minor leagues so he could build up for the season.
He was given two days off due to “overall body soreness” after playing in two games for Low-A St. Lucie last weekend.
Mendoza claimed Martinez informed him that a cortisone shot he had taken for lower back pain in April of last year had been a “game changer” for him.
Martinez played 113 games for the Dodgers in the previous season, hitting 33 home runs with an OPS of.893.
Mendoza states that Martinez will still require at-bats in the minor leagues following his return to spring training before he can be considered for the starting lineup for the Mets.
Monday’s long game behind the plate left Francisco Alvarez feeling “beat up” and gave him the day off.
For the second time in the previous four games, Omar Narvaez started at catcher.
For monetary considerations, the Mets dealt reliever Michael Tonkin to the Twins.
The Mets designated the right-hander for assignment last week.
Mendoza claims that Kodai Senga has been throwing changeups on flat ground with low intensity, but he hasn’t gone back to mound sessions.
The right-hander had to start the season on the injured list due to a right shoulder ailment, which he is now recovering from.
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