The recently signed player became officially eligible to join the Mets as of Sunday, marking his first opportunity to be part of the team. There was initial anticipation that he might be able to participate in the upcoming series against the Braves starting Monday, but it appears he requires more time to prepare both physically and in terms of his batting abilities.
Martinez, who recently played two games as a designated hitter for Low-A St. Lucie, had a less than stellar performance, going 1-for-8 with two walks and no strikeouts. However, the more significant concern is that Martinez is currently dealing with general soreness throughout his body, a common occurrence for players during the early stages of training.
Having signed with the Mets approximately two weeks ago after a prolonged period of free agency, Martinez has been undergoing a condensed preparation process, which according to manager Carlos Mendoza, will need to be extended further.
The current plan is for Martinez to take the next couple of days off before resuming batting practice on Tuesday. It remains undecided whether he will continue to practice with the affiliate team or at the Mets’ own facility.
Regarding the possibility of integrating Martinez into the Mets’ lineup gradually at the major league level, Mendoza emphasized the importance of caution to avoid rushing him and risking injury.
In Martinez’s absence, the Mets have utilized various players in the designated hitter position, rotating between DJ Stewart and providing rest to regulars like Brandon Nimmo, Francisco Alvarez, and Starling Marte.
Martinez, a veteran six-time All-Star at the age of 36, demonstrated impressive offensive prowess last season with the Dodgers, boasting an OPS of .893 and hitting 33 home runs in 113 games. The struggling Mets, with their current low run production and batting average, could greatly benefit from Martinez’s potential offensive contributions once he is fully prepared to join the team.