The Detroit Tigers couldn’t even get to spring training before losing a player to an injury as DH Victor Martinez injured his left knee during a workout.
The Detroit Tigers don’t begin reporting to spring training until Feb. 22 and they’re already dealing with an injury.
Designated hitter Victor Martinez tore the medial meniscus in his left knee last week during an offseason workout and will require surgery.
More from Detroit Tigers
- MLB standings ordered by hard hit rate: Struggling Cardinals still cracking bats
- MLB rumors: Justin Verlander buzz, Astros target All-Star, Reds-White Sox deal
- Tigers young star takes vicious shot at Royals pitcher over sticky stuff allegations
- Immaculate Grid baseball: Answers, connections, hints for Grid 105 (July 16)
- Immaculate Grid baseball: Answers, connections, hints for Grid 102 (July 13)
According to the Detroit Free Press, Martinez will undergo surgery with Dr. James Andrews—surgeon to the (athletic) stars—in Pensacola, Fla., on Tuesday.
The Tigers are holding out hope that Martinez’s recovery will be able to be measured in weeks rather than months.
“I’m not real happy because we have the potential to lose one of the best hitters in the game,” manager Brad Ausmus said.
General manager Dave Dombrowski said Martinez was hurt while participating in “baseball activities.”
Martinez signed a four-year, $68 million contract extension in November after leading the American League in on-base percentage and OPS in 2014.
Martinez, who turned 36 in December, hit .335/.409/.565 for the Tigers in 2014, earning his fifth All-Star berth—and his first since 2010. He had 33 doubles, 32 homers and 103 RBI and finished second in the Most Valuable Player voting to Mike Trout of the Los Angeles Angels.
This is not Martinez’s first go-round with the offseason injury bug. He tore his left ACL in January 2012 and wound up missing the entire season.
Since coming to the Tigers in 2011, Martinez has been a hitting machine, posting a slash line of .321/.381/.487 with 58 home runs and 289 RBI in 455 games.
He just did miss a slash-line triple crown in 2014. His .335 batting average was second in the AL to only Jose Altuve of the Houston Astros (.341) and his slugging percentage of .565 trailed only Rookie of the Year Jose Abreu of the Chicago White Sox (.581). Yes, it was the classic double “no way, Jose” denial.
Martinez was originally signed by the Cleveland Indians as an international free agent in 1996, as a catcher, and made his debut in the American minor leagues in 1999.
He reached the majors for the first time in 2002 and was an All-Star by 2004.
He was moved to the Boston Red Sox for three prospects at the 2009 non-waiver trade deadline and joined the Tigers as a free agent in November 2010.
Martinez also led the AL with 28 intentional walks last season.
More from FanSided
- Joe Burrow owes Justin Herbert a thank you note after new contract
- Chiefs gamble at wide receiver could already be biting them back
- Braves-Red Sox start time: Braves rain delay in Boston on July 25
- Yankees: Aaron Boone gives optimistic return date for Aaron Judge
- MLB Rumors: Yankees-Phillies trade showdown, Mariners swoop, India goes to Seattle