J.D. Martinez
DH FA
Fri 4/26/24 2:38 PM

The Mets recalled Martinez from Triple-A Syracuse on Friday.
EDGE Analysis
Martinez had his Mets debut delayed a bit by a minor back issue, but he's ready to go now following five tune-up games in the minors. The 36-year-old went 6-for-19 with two doubles and a 2:2 K:BB in those contests. Manager Carlos Mendoza has said Martinez will not play every day right away, as the club plans to ease him into things as he faces major-league pitching for the first time since last October. Eventually, he will be the team's everyday designated hitter.

J.D. Martinez
DH FA
Fri 4/26/24 12:40 PM

Martinez (back) won't play every day to begin his tenure with the Mets, Tim Britton of The Athletic reports.
EDGE Analysis
"We're not going to DH him every day," manager Carlos Mendoza said Wednesday. "He's going to need some days [off]. I'll sit down with him to put together a game plan because he's important. He's too valuable for this team, and we've got to take care of him." Martinez is expected to make his debut for the Mets on Friday and hit fifth behind Pete Alonso, but the 36-year-old's workload for the first week or two could be a bit less than what patient fantasy investors were hoping for.

J.D. Martinez
DH FA
Wed 4/24/24 2:06 PM

Martinez (back) is on track to be added to the Mets' 26-man active roster ahead of Friday's game versus the Cardinals, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.
EDGE Analysis
Martinez is slated to play what is expected to be a final game with Triple-A Syracuse on Wednesday. As long as he comes out of it with no issues, he should serve as the Mets' designated hitter Friday. Martinez went to the minors to knock off some rust after signing with the Mets late in spring training and had to take a break from game action briefly due to a minor back problem, but he's healthy now and is nearing his 2024 debut with the big club. According to a Mike Puma of the New York Post, manager Carlos Mendoza said Wednesday that he plans to slot Martinez directly behind cleanup batter Pete Alonso as the Mets' No. 5 hitter once he's activated.

J.D. Martinez
DH FA
Sun 4/21/24 3:07 PM

Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said Sunday that Martinez (back) could join the big club as soon as Friday, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.
EDGE Analysis
The veteran slugger is scheduled to play with Triple-A Syracuse on Tuesday and Wednesday, which could be the final hurdle before being cleared for his Mets debut. Martinez played in two minor-league games in early April before the back issue surfaced, but he's just about MLB ready after receiving an injection and ramping his baseball work back up over the past couple weeks.

J.D. Martinez
DH FA
Tue 4/16/24 4:06 PM

Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said Tuesday that it's "very unlikely" Martinez (back) will join the team on their upcoming road trip, which begins Friday in Los Angeles and runs through April 24 in San Francisco, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.
EDGE Analysis
Based on Mendoza's comments, Martinez won't be ready to make his Mets debut until April 26, at the earliest. Martinez injured his back earlier this month while playing for Single-A St. Lucie, with whom he reported to for the start of the season after he wasn't available for spring training due to his late signing. He had been slated to begin swinging a bat Monday and is expected to resume playing in minor-league games later this week.

J.D. Martinez
DH FA
Mon 4/15/24 11:25 AM

Martinez (back) is expected to begin swinging a bat again Monday, and he should resume his minor-league assignment later this week, Tim Britton of The Athletic reports.
EDGE Analysis
The veteran DH hasn't played for Low-A St. Lucie since last Saturday due to back tightness, and he received an injection Tuesday to speed his recovery. Assuming he gets back into the St. Lucie lineup this week, Martinez could be in line to make his Mets debut before the end of the month.

J.D. Martinez
DH FA
Tue 4/9/24 5:25 PM

Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said Tuesday that Martinez is dealing with tightness in his lower back and received an injection for the injury, Will Sammon of The Athletic reports.
EDGE Analysis
Mendoza added that Martinez will be sidelined for up to five days, and he'll continue to ramp up his progress in the minors before joining the team. Martinez played two games at Single-A St. Lucie this past weekend and went 1-for-8 with two walks. He hasn't participated in baseball activities since then due to the back issues.

J.D. Martinez
DH FA
Sun 4/7/24 12:24 PM

Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said Sunday that Martinez won't participate in baseball activities for two days after reporting "overall body soreness" before he returns to Single-A St. Lucie's lineup Tuesday, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.
EDGE Analysis
Martinez was looking to join the Mets during the four-game series in Atlanta that begins Monday, but that's no longer a possibility. The 35-year-old could join the big club for Friday's series opener versus Kansas City in New York, though his season debut may get pushed back further. Martinez's outlook should receive more clarity once he attempts to return to minor-league action.

J.D. Martinez
DH FA
Sun 4/7/24 11:57 AM

Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said Sunday that Martinez won't join the big-league club during the four-game series in Atlanta that begins Monday, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.
EDGE Analysis
The veteran slugger made two appearances at Single-A St. Lucie this weekend but isn't quite ready to join the Mets. The earliest Martinez could now join the MLB club is Friday's series opener versus the Royals in New York, though it's unclear if he's expected to join the team at that point.

J.D. Martinez
DH FA
Thu 4/4/24 11:03 AM

Manager Carlos Mendoza said Thursday that Martinez could join the Mets as soon as next week for their series in Atlanta, Will Sammon of The Athletic reports.
EDGE Analysis
Martinez has been working out at extended spring training but will be assigned to a minor-league affiliate as soon as Friday. The designated hitter won't be added to the 26-man roster when first eligible Sunday, and it's not a given either that he'll be activated for the four-game series in Atlanta that begins Monday. The Mets' decision on whether to make Martinez available in Atlanta will probably depend on how he looks and feels during his at-bats in the minors. Whenever he's ready, Martinez will take over as the Mets' everyday designated hitter, pushing DJ Stewart to a bench role.