The New York Mets were unable to debut their new acquisition, All-Star J.D. Martinez, due to lower back tightness. Carlos Mendoza, the team’s manager, announced that Martinez had been working at the team’s facility in Port St. Lucie, Florida after signing a one-year, $12 million contract on March 24. Martinez, 36, had experienced similar lower back soreness following spring training last season with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Mendoza stated that Martinez had received a shot for the back tightness, as he did last year, and was optimistic based on how quickly he recovered then. He mentioned that Martinez would need two or three days to respond to treatment before they could determine when he can rejoin the team.
At first, Mendoza thought that Martinez was dealing with overall soreness, only to discover the specific issue with his lower back. Martinez had an impressive season in 2023 with the Dodgers, hitting .271 with 33 home runs and 103 RBIs. He was expected to be the Mets’ primary designated hitter. However, Mendoza also mentioned that Martinez might see some playing time in the outfield.
To assess his progress, Martinez participated in two rehab games last weekend with Class A St. Lucia before being delayed further by the back tightness. Mendoza assured that the situation was not overly concerning and the decision to address it promptly was made to ensure Martinez’s long-term health.
The loss of Martinez is a blow to the Mets’ lineup as he is one of their most valuable players and has experience playing center field and designated hitter roles effectively.
Overall, while this setback may be frustrating for both the Mets and their fans alike, it is important for them to prioritize Martinez’s health over any potential short-term gains of having him on the field right away.
