Achi news desk-
Published By: Sports Desk
Last Updated:
Read all the latest Sports News on News18.com
All Star JD Martinez’s debut with the New York Mets will be delayed as the veteran continues to physically increase after signing late in spring training, manager Carlos Mendoza said Sunday.
CINCINNATI: All Star JD Martinez’s debut with the New York Mets will be delayed as the veteran continues to build up physically after signing late in spring training, manager Carlos Mendoza said on Thursday Sunday.
“We’re not going to see him in a while,” Mendoza said. “He’s going to stay down in Port St. Lucie and get more at-bats. He feels it. We knew it would take a lot of time. Not only with the timing and mechanics, but generally with his body. “
Mendoza said Martinez will take a couple of days off before playing again, most likely on Tuesday.
The 36-year-old Martinez inked a one-year, $12 million deal with the Mets on March 24. He stayed in Florida at the start of the season for conditioning and went 1 for 8 with a walk in two games last weekend at Single-A Port St Lucie.
In 113 games last season with the Dodgers, Martinez hit .271 with 33 home runs and 103 RBIs. He could boost a Mets offense that has sputtered this season.
The 33 home runs were his most since 2019, and his .893 OPS represented his highest since that year.
Mendoza said Martinez could get some reps in the outfield at some point this season, but for now he will remain a designated hitter.
Martinez had hoped he would only need 15 days to be ready to join the Mets.
Mendoza compared Martinez’s physical condition to what position players are testing in the second week of spring training.
“We will be flexible and we will listen to him,” said Mendoza. “He tells us how he reacts. 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 it.”
Mendoza got a $2.5 million signing bonus, $2 million this year and $7.5 million in deferred money, payable in installments of $1.5 million each Jan. 15 from 2034-38.
___
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed – Associated Press)
