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Top Michael Martinez News

  • Indians' Michael Martinez: Ruptures Achilles' tendon

    Martinez suffered a ruptured Achilles' tendon last week, and will likely be out for the next six months.

    The infielder recently underwent surgery in Cleveland after sustaining the injury in the Dominican Republic while doing exercises. Martinez will subsequently miss spring training, and more likely than not, four months of the upcoming season before returning to the field sometime in August, barring any additional setbacks. The 35-year-old is signed to a minor-league deal with the club for the third straight season, but he's found his way onto the big-league roster each time, playing in 28 games between Cleveland and Tampa Bay in 2017. There will likely be an update on his status in the coming months when he's able to resume baseball activities.

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  • Michael Martinez: Inks minor-league deal with Tribe

    The Indians and Martinez agreed to a minor-league contract Saturday, Robert Murray of FanRagSports.com reports. The contract includes an invitation to major-league spring training.

    Martinez has inked the same deal with the Tribe for each of the last three seasons, ultimately earning his way onto the 40-man roster at some point each year. The 35-year-old offers little upside at the plate, but his ability to hit from both sides of the plate and play multiple infield and outfield spots could make him a valuable reserve option for the Indians later in 2018 once injuries hit the roster.

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  • Indians' Michael Martinez: Rejoins Tribe on minors deal

    Martinez signed a minor-league contract with the Indians on Sunday.

    Martinez rejoins the organization for which he played from 2015 to the the beginning of this season, with trips to Boston and Tampa Bay in between, and will report to Triple-A Columbus on Sunday. The utility fielder has played in 28 big-league games this season, hitting just .162/.262/.189 at the plate. If he can turn things around in Columbus, there's a good chance Martinez will be back in action with the Indians at some point this summer.

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  • Michael Martinez: Elects free agency

    Martinez cleared waivers and has elected free agency, Roger Mooney of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

    Martinez was designated for assignment earlier in the week after going just 2-for-26 (.077) during his brief stint with the Rays. Rather than accept an assignment to Triple-A, Martinez will look to catch on elsewhere, which he should have no problem doing given his previous major-league experience and versatility in the field.

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  • Rays' Michael Martinez: DFA'd on Monday

    Martinez was designated for assignment by the Rays on Monday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

    Martinez was almost designated for assignment earlier in the month before a roster spot opened back up with Brad Miller (groin) heading to the DL. Now, the 34-year-old has officially been DFA'd in order to clear room on the active roster for Trevor Plouffe. Martinez struggled in his limited playing time with the Rays this season, collecting just two hits in 26 at-bats (.077). He'll likely head to Triple-A if the Rays are able to pass him through waivers.

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  • Rays' Michael Martinez: Not DFA'd after all

    Martinez will not be designated for assignment by the Rays, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

    With Brad Miller going on the DL due to a right groin strain, Martinez will remain on the Rays' 40-man roster for the time being. The utility infielder hasn't performed well in limited playing time this season, going 5-for-30 from the dish after being acquired from the Indians on May 18. He'll keep his place on the roster while Miller recovers and could even see an increase in playing time, but may very well be delaying the inevitable.

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  • Rays' Michael Martinez: DFA'd by Rays

    Martinez was designated for assignment Tuesday.

    Martinez was acquired by the Rays in mid-May after he was designated for assignment by the Indians. The utility infielder struggled in his limited action with the Rays, collecting just one hit in 19 at-bats. He'll likely join Triple-A Durham if he passes through waivers unclaimed.

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  • Rays' Michael Martinez: Has rough game in extra innings

    Martinez went 0-for-7 with a run scored and three strikeouts in Sunday's 8-6 win over the Twins in 15 innings.

    The utility infielder is batting only .185 with no RBI and two runs in 32 plate appearances for the Rays after being brought over from Cleveland. Ramirez is currently sharing time with Daniel Robertson at the keystone with Brad Miller (abdomen) on the disabled list. The light-hitting 34-year-old is a desperation middle infield option in the deepest of AL-only affairs.

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  • Rays' Michael Martinez: Dealt to Tampa Bay

    Martinez was traded to the Rays on Thursday in exchange for cash considerations.

    Martinez was designated for assignment by the Indians on May 14 despite going 4-for-11 in 15 games for them this season, but it seems like his versatility caught the eye of the Rays. He doesn't have anywhere to play on the big-league roster at this time, but he could be one of the first guys called into action if more injuries plague Tampa Bay.

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  • Indians' Michael Martinez: Designated for assignment

    The Indians designated Martinez for assignment Sunday, MLB.com's Jordan Bastian reports.

    Despite going 4-for-11 at the plate and appearing in 15 games, the switch-hitting Martinez couldn't hold down a role for the big club, who decided to recall a higher-upside utility man in Erik Gonzalez from the minors to take Martinez's spot. If no other teams puts in a waiver claim for Martinez, the 32-year-old journeyman will be outrighted to Triple-A Columbus.

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  • Indians' Michael Martinez: Seeing little playing time

    Martinez has logged just six plate appearances (1-for-5 with a walk) over the team's first 19 games of the season.

    The utility man, whose offensive deficiencies are evidenced by his .197 career batting average over 585 plate appearances, is one of the least-used players on any MLB active roster. With Jason Kipnis' recent return from shoulder issues, Martinez's services may not be needed much longer by the Tribe.

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  • Indians' Michael Martinez: Contract purchased from Triple-A

    The Indians purchased Martinez's contract from Triple-A Columbus on Sunday.

    A career journeyman who has split time between the big leagues and Triple-A for much of the last six seasons, Martinez was able to secure an Opening Day roster spot thanks in large part to his versatility rather than his skills as a hitter. He could end up seeing a few starts per week as the Indians look to fill the void at second base in the absence of Jason Kipnis (shoulder), but even in a quasi-full-time role, it will be difficult to wring much value out of Martinez even in AL-only leagues. Over 578 career plate appearances, Martinez has mustered a .197/.241/.266 batting line.

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  • Indians' Michael Martinez: Should be on Opening Day roster

    Martinez is expected to make the Indians' Opening Day roster.

    The 34-year-old's major-league career has been rather underwhelming to this point, as he owns a career batting average below the .200 mark (.197) and posted exceedingly high strikeout rates in three of his last four seasons. However, with Jason Kipnis battling a shoulder injury, Martinez could see the occasional start at the keystone in the early going, although Jose Ramirez figures to see the bulk of the starts in the interim.

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  • Indians' Michael Martinez: Opening Day fate in peril

    Martinez's offensive limitations put him behind the eight ball for an Opening Day roster spot, Zack Meisel of Cleveland.com reports.

    Since 2011, Martinez has managed a .197/.241/.266 slash line in 267 MLB games. According to FanGraphs, the 34-year-old owns the worst batting average for any player with 520-plus at-bats over the past six seasons. Martinez has done all he can this spring to prove he's a new man, going 16-for-45 (.356) with six extra-base hits (one home run), seven RBI and five runs over 17 Cactus League games. Unfortunately for the utility man, exhibition numbers can't hide the fact that Martinez has been one of the worst hitters in baseball since making his MLB debut. With younger options like Yandy Diaz and Erik Gonzalez on the rise, Martinez's chance at making the 25-man roster is on shaky ground.

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Player Bio

HT/WT: 5-9, 180 lbs
Birthplace: Santo Domingo, DR
Age: 41
Experience: 7
Bats/Throws: S, R