In what will be very welcome news to Detroit Tigers fans, J.D. Martinez is scheduled to start his rehab assignment tonight.
#Tigers announce J.D. Martinez will begin rehab assignment tonight w/ Lakeland. Flying Tigers begin 3-game road series at Palm Beach. #MiLB
— Emily Waldon (@EmilyCWaldon) May 5, 2017
Tigers outfielder J.D. Martinez is scheduled to begin a rehab assignment tonight with single-A Lakeland.
— Tigers PR (@DetroitTigersPR) May 5, 2017
Martinez left a spring training game after rolling his ankle whlie attempting to make a play on defense. A short time later, the right-fielder was diagnosed with a sprained Lisfranc ligament in his right foot. This has been a cause of concern to Tigers fans as the big bat of J.D. Martinez is not easily replaced.
It appears that Martinez will start at designated hitter for Lakeland and eventually work his way back to the outfield.
https://twitter.com/DetroitDialect/status/860563259069521920
Early last week Tigers fans were treated with the news that Martinez was taking part in extended spring training games. So much so, that he fouled a pitch off his left foot. Luckily, x-rays did not find any issues with that particular injury.
Manager Brad Ausmus told the Detroit Free Press that Martinez is pretty much responsible for his timetable for return.
“It’s really, J.D. can do as much physically as he can tolerate.”
Doctors agree and have cleared Martinez to return to action. If the road trip with Lakeland goes well, J.D. will spend a couple of games in Toledo before making a return to the major league club. The Tigers have a few roster options when Martinez comes back including making good use of JaCoby Jones, Jim Adduci, Tyler Collins, and Mikie Mahtook.
A free agent after this season, Martinez hit .307 last year with 22 home runs and 68 RBI.
