Sore groin last month…placed on disabled list
Hit .256 with 25 home runs and 78 RBIs this season.
By Yoon Seo Park = Los Angeles Dodgers J.D. Martinez is close to returning to the lineup after being sidelined by injury.
Martinez was placed on the disabled list last month with groin soreness and hasn’t played since April 20 against the Miami Marlins.
Martinez has been working on his conditioning through rehab games and is close to returning. In two Triple-A games, he went 1-for-8 with a home run, three RBIs and a walk.
MLB.com quoted Dodgers manager Dave Roberts on Monday as saying, “Martinez was not feeling any pain. He is expected to return to the lineup on April 9 against the Washington Nationals.”
Martinez, who is in his first season with the Dodgers, played in 92 games this year, batting .256 with 25 home runs, 78 RBIs and an OPS of .856.
Martinez is a great addition to the Dodgers offense. Martinez may not have a high batting average, but his power is still there. With his experience in the big leagues, expect Martinez to have a big postseason.
In addition to Martinez, the Dodgers are awaiting the return of starting pitcher Walker Buehler and reliever Joe Kelly. MLB.com projects both pitchers to return in mid- or late-September.온라인바카
Buehler, who underwent Tommy John surgery to repair ligament reconstruction in his elbow last year, made his first rehab start at Triple-A on Aug. 4, throwing a two-hit, two-strikeout perfect game on 24 pitches.
Buehler will make his second rehab start on May 9. He plans to make at least two more rehab appearances before returning to the big leagues.