J.D. Martinez is set to debut for the New York Mets on Friday as they begin a seven-game homestand against the St. Louis Cardinals. Despite signing a reported $12 million one-year deal on March 23, Martinez missed spring training with the Mets due to the need for extra preparation time and then battled a back issue. In his brief stint at Triple-A Syracuse, Martinez recorded three hits in eight at-bats, driving in three runs.
Expected to slot in behind Pete Alonso as the designated hitter, Martinez will not immediately assume an everyday role. Mets manager Carlos Mendoza indicated that Martinez will require occasional rest to manage his workload effectively. Despite this, Martinez is slated to feature in the lineup on Friday, barring any setbacks.
Last season, Martinez, aged 36, earned his third consecutive All-Star nod and sixth overall, albeit with the Los Angeles Dodgers. He posted a .271 batting average, a .321 on-base percentage, and a .572 slugging percentage, along with 33 home runs and 103 RBIs over 113 games in 2023.
Martinez’s illustrious career includes stints with the Houston Astros (2011-2013), Detroit Tigers (2014-2017), and the Arizona Diamondbacks (2017). Across 1,522 games, he boasts a batting line of .287/.350/.524, with 315 home runs and 1,002 RBIs.
In Martinez’s absence, the Mets have maintained a 13-11 record heading into Friday’s matchup.
