Tigers signed OF J.D. Martinez to a minor league contract. Martinez was released by the Astros over the weekend after batting just .250/.272/.378 in 2013 and then struggling to an even uglier degree this spring in the Cactus League. Once a major league regular, he'll now serve as organizational outfield depth for Detroit.

Astros released OF J.D. Martinez. Injuries slowed down his 2013 campaign, leading to just a .250/.272/.378 slash with seven homers and 36 RBI in 86 games with the Astros. With an already crowded outfield situation, he was a long-shot to crack the Opening Day roster, and his poor Cactus League performance was the nail in the coffin. Still just 26, he should be able to find another team willing to give him an opportunity.

Astros sent OF J.D. Martinez outright to Triple-A Oklahoma City. Martinez could only muster a .650 OPS in 310 trips to the plate with the Astros in 2013. He was slowed by two injuries: a sprained right knee in late April, and a sprained left wrist in late July. Martinez will still be competing for playing time in the outfield when spring training begins.

Astros activated OF J.D. Martinez from the 15-day disabled list. Martinez is active and in uniform for Friday's game against the Angels. He had been on the shelf since the end of July due to a sprained left wrist. The 26-year-old was hitting .256/.280/.392 with seven homers and 36 RBI in 78 games before the injury.

J.D. Martinez (wrist) plans to play winter ball over the offseason in an effort to make up for the time he's lost due to injury this season. Martinez was placed on the DL near the end of July with a sprained left wrist, and won't even begin to swing a bat until early September. With the plethora of capable young outfielders in Houston, Martinez knows he must do everything in his power in order to crack the Astros' roster in 2014.

Astros placed J.D. Martinez on the 15-day disabled list with a sprained left wrist. Martinez sustained the injury during Friday's game while sliding into second base. In a corresponding move, Robbie Grossman was recalled from Triple-A and could share time in the outfield while Martinez is sidelined.

J.D. Martinez was removed from Friday's game against the Blue Jays due to a left wrist injury. Martinez sustained the injury while sliding into second base. Justin Maxwell replaced him in the lineup, and could see an uptick in playing time if Martinez is forced to miss any significant amount of time. The team should release an update on his status shortly.

J.D. Martinez left Tuesday's game against the Athletics after he collided with teammate Justin Maxwell while going after a fly ball in the ninth inning. Martinez was able to walk off the field under his own power and was later diagnosed with a lower back contusion. He's being called day-to-day, but will be re-evaluated Wednesday.

J.D. Martinez recorded his first four-hit game Thursday in the Astros' 7-5 win over the Rockies. The Astros have something to be proud of now; a two-game mini-sweep in Coors Field. After striking out five times Monday, Martinez has come back and gone 8-for-13 the last three days. Despite the poor 22/3 K/BB ratio in 72 at-bats, he's batting .305 with three homers and 13 RBI for the month of May.

J.D. Martinez struck out all five times he was up as the Astros' designated hitter Monday against the Rockies. Martinez has displayed nice pop with five homers and nine doubles in 32 games for the Astros, but he's sporting a poor .273 OBP. He hasn't established himself as a fixture in Houston's lineup just yet.