In one of the most frustrating sagas of the otherwise successful Dodgers season, designated hitter J.D. Martinzez’s lingering groin injury is still ailing the slugger from sustained starts in LA’s lineup.
Though he will play in the series opener against the Miami Marlins on Sunday, the All-Star mentioned that he would need a stay on the IL to fully heal from an annoying situation should the issue continue to hamper his production.
Healthy for most of the first half, Martinez’s production has been a bounce back year to his former glory with the Red Sox.
Starting the All-Star Game as the NL’s designated hitter, Martinez’s power has returned to his bat with more home runs compared to last year and slugging number’s we’re used to seeing out of the right-handed bat.
Lately, it’s been Martinez shuffling inside and out of the lineup with various nicks and bruises, with fans clamoring for an IL stint.
Considering the team has won 11 straight games to this point in the month of August largely without the services of their power bat, maybe those fans are right to rest their slugger for the postseason stretch.
Collectively, the team’s proven they can more than get by without Martinez in the daily lineup card for manager Dave Roberts.
Driven by their stars at the top of their lineup in Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman, it was Austin Barnes in their most recent win that propelled the Dodgers to victory.
In a game where Martinez was scratched, Barnes not only called nine shutout innings behind the plate, but drove in the lone run for either side with his first home run on the year in what’s been an otherwise lackluster showing.
With depth littered across the board, LA can wait on one of their best players to get fully healthy and should the issues continue into Friday, Martinez’s stay on the IL would be more than welcome from the fans at the Ravine and the organization.
Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
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