\n\n”,”providerName”:”Twitter”,”providerUrl”:”https://twitter.com”,”thumbnail_url”:null,”type”:”oembed”,”width”:550,”contentType”:”rich”},{“__typename”:”Markdown”,”content”:”While Martinez won’t transform the Mets overnight, he should add considerable length and heft to manager Carlos Mendoza’s lineup card. Here’s everything else you need to know about Martinez’s debut:”,”type”:”text”},{“__typename”:”Markdown”,”content”:”**What took Martinez so long to join the Mets?** \nMultiple factors were at play here. One of several Scott Boras clients who didn’t sign until well after Spring Training began, Martinez agreed to terms with merely a week left in camp. He consented to open the season in the Minors, where he could ramp-up to game speed.\n\nThe original plan was for Martinez to debut on or around the date he was first eligible, April 7. But he subsequently began experiencing back stiffness, necessitating a cortisone shot to reduce the inflammation. It’s the same injury that cost him time last April, and on Martinez’s recommendation, the Mets opted to treat it the same way the Dodgers did.\n\nFollowing a shutdown period of a little less than a week, Martinez began swinging a bat again. He then played in three Minor League games, which were his final hurdles before activation.”,”type”:”text”},{“__typename”:”Video”,”contentDate”:”2024-04-24T23:15:27.129Z”,”preferredPlaybackScenarioURL({\”preferredPlaybacks\”:\”mp4AvcPlayback\”})”:”https://milb-cuts-diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2024/2024-04/24/8be34af8-21088546-e8b71b-prod-milb-diamond-asset-4000K.mp4″,”type”:”video”,”description”:”J.D. Martinez clubs an RBI double during his second rehab start for Triple-A Syracuse”,”displayAsVideoGif”:false,”duration”:”00:00:23″,”slug”:”j-d-martinez-s-rbi-double-x3651″,”tags”:[{“__typename”:”PersonTag”,”slug”:”playerid-502110″,”title”:”J.D. Martinez”,”person”:{“__ref”:”Person:502110″},”type”:”player”},{“__typename”:”TaxonomyTag”,”slug”:”rehab”,”title”:”rehab”,”type”:”taxonomy”},{“__typename”:”TaxonomyTag”,”slug”:”hitting”,”title”:”hitting”,”type”:”taxonomy”},{“__typename”:”TaxonomyTag”,”slug”:”highlight”,”title”:”highlight”,”type”:”taxonomy”},{“__typename”:”TaxonomyTag”,”slug”:”121-affiliate”,”title”:”Mets affiliate”,”type”:”taxonomy”},{“__typename”:”TaxonomyTag”,”slug”:”minor-league-baseball”,”title”:”Minor League Baseball”,”type”:”taxonomy”}],”thumbnail”:{“__typename”:”Thumbnail”,”templateUrl”:”https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-images/image/upload/{formatInstructions}/mlb/rlpcptcyzae1n8mn2zxl”},”title”:”J.D. Martinez’s RBI double “,”relativeSiteUrl”:”/video/j-d-martinez-s-rbi-double-x3651″},{“__typename”:”Markdown”,”content”:”**How did he perform in the Minors?** \nThe most applicable answer to this question is, “It doesn’t matter.” Martinez’s ramp-up was essentially a condensed Spring Training, and it wouldn’t be wise to read any more into it than a typical Grapefruit League stat line. It was also an extremely small sample size. But for the curious, Martinez slashed .316/.381/.421 with two doubles and four RBIs over two games at Triple-A Syracuse and three at Single-A St. Lucie.\n\nOf note, Martinez put six balls into play at exit velocities over 100 mph (including two at 109 mph at Syracuse), suggesting his bat speed is right where it needs to be.”,”type”:”text”},{“__typename”:”Markdown”,”content”:”**What position will Martinez play?** \nDesignated hitter and likely nothing else. Since joining the Mets, Martinez hasn’t taken any outfield reps. Although he appeared in three games in left for the Dodgers last season, Martinez has mostly been a DH since 2018. The Mets may eventually have Martinez take practice reps to keep him fresh for an emergency, but he won’t spend any significant time in the outfield.”,”type”:”text”},{“__typename”:”Markdown”,”content”:”**Where will he hit?** \nAlthough Mendoza hinted this spring…
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