J.D. Martinez day-to-day after being struck by pitch in D-backs debut
Jul 19, 2017, 5:39 PM | Updated: 8:33 pm
Arizona Diamondbacks right fielder J.D. Martinez stands in the dugout in the first inning of a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds, Wednesday, July 19, 2017, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
(AP Photo/John Minchillo)
The Arizona Diamondbacks’ new right fielder J.D. Martinez was struck by a pitch on his left hand Wednesday in his D-backs debut against the Cincinnati Reds and left the game.
J.D. Martinez has been removed from tonight's #Dbacks game after a pitch struck his left hand. We'll share an update when we have one. pic.twitter.com/M0MoT8QvIM
— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) July 20, 2017
J.D. Martinez has a left hand contusion. The X-rays are negative and he is day-to-day.
— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) July 20, 2017
In the top of the fourth inning, Martinez was taking his second at-bat when a pitch up and in from Reds starter Tim Adleman on a 1-2 count hit his left hand.
A look at J.D. Martinez's hand after he was hit pic.twitter.com/udpk01rp9h
— FOX Sports Arizona (@FOXSPORTSAZ) July 20, 2017
Martinez was then checked on by trainers before going back to the dugout, as it was ruled by the umpire that he struck out on the play.
Daniel Descalso would replace him in the outfield in the bottom of the fourth inning.
“I made the decision based on what I saw,” D-backs manager Torey Lovullo said after the game.
“I saw a couple of things that told me it was probably best to take him out of the game.”
Lovullo said he already saw a bruise that was forming.
Martinez also struck out in his first at-bat.
Prior to the game, Martinez was still getting used to his new situation.
“Right now it’s kind of still foreign to me,” Martinez said of being in a D-backs uniform.
He spoke of his past playoff experience and his eagerness to get back.
“It’s what you play for,” Martinez said. “I don’t even know how to express it. It’s just one of things where you get a taste of it, you know what it is and you want more of it. This is a chance to do it and I’m in on it.”
Arizona acquired the former Detroit Tigers outfielder Tuesday for three prospects. He entered the game hitting .305 with 16 home runs and 39 RBI. With Martinez, the team was looking to fill a void left in the outfield by Yasmany Tomas, who has been out for an extended period of time with a groin injury.
The D-backs received praise around the baseball world for the win-now move. Martinez becomes an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season, making him most likely only a rental for Arizona.
