Dodgers manager Dave Roberts hasn't ruled out Martinez playing some outfield this season, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.
Martinez played primarily in the outfield for the first seven seasons of his career before transitioning to designated hitter in 2018. Last season with the Red Sox, he played all 139 of his games as the DH, and he hasn't played the outfield in a regular-season contest since Oct. 3, 2021. However, the veteran started in left field in Saturday's Cactus League contest against the Cubs and made a nice running catch on the first play of the game. Though Roberts' comments suggest Martinez could occasionally play defense this season, it's uncertain if he'd do so often enough to gain outfield eligibility in fantasy leagues. One reason the team may want to put Martinez in the field from time to time is that doing so could help get catcher Will Smith's bat in the lineup on days when he needs a break behind the plate.
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Dodgers' J.D. Martinez: To serve as everyday DH
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Dodgers manager Dave Roberts confirmed over the weekend that Martinez will serve as the team's everyday DH in 2023, Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times reports.
"I don't expect J.D. to DH 162 [games]," Roberts said. "But he's gonna be the guy who is gonna be in that position 99.9 percent of the time." Martinez inked a one-year, $10 million free-agent contract with the Dodgers back in December and has a chance to flourish with a solidified spot in the heart of such a deep and dangerous lineup. He posted a .790 OPS with 16 home runs and 62 RBI in 139 games last season with the Red Sox.
Dodgers' J.D. Martinez: Inks one-year deal with Dodgers
Rotowire
Martinez agreed to a one-year, $10 million contract with the Dodgers on Saturday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.
Passan notes that the move to Los Angeles reunites Martinez with hitting coach Robert Von Scoyoc, who was "wildly influential" in Martinez's rise from washout with Houston to star slugger. Martinez was a four-time All-Star with Boston, but his over-the-fence power took a step backward last year (16 home runs) and the Red Sox declined to extend him the qualifying offer for 2023. He played exclusively as a DH last year and figures to be the Dodgers' new primary designated hitter and cleanup man.
Red Sox's J.D. Martinez: No qualifying offer coming
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Martinez is unlikely to get a qualifying offer from the Red Sox, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.
As a 35-year-old designated hitter who was only worth 1.0 fWAR in 139 games last season, Martinez was unlikely to get the qualifying offer. He will likely sign this winter on a short-term deal to serve as another team's primary designated hitter.
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Red Sox's J.D. Martinez: Two homers in win
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Martinez went 2-for-3 with two home runs and four RBI in Wednesday's 6-3 victory over the Rays.
Martinez launched a three-run home run off Josh Fleming in the bottom of the first inning before going deep for a solo shot in the fourth. The homers raised his season total to 16, four of which came in the final 14 games of the season. Martinez will finish the 2022 campaign with a .274 average, 16 home runs, 62 RBI and 76 runs over 533 at-bats in 139 games.
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Red Sox's J.D. Martinez: Gets breather Saturday
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Martinez isn't starting Saturday against the Blue Jays.
Martinez will get a day off after he slashed .333/.364/.762 with two home runs, three doubles, five runs and three RBI over the last five games. Xander Bogaerts is serving as the designated hitter and batting third.
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Red Sox's J.D. Martinez: Slugs 14th homer
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Martinez went 2-for-4 with a double, a two-run home run and two runs scored Thursday against the Orioles.
Martinez took Dillon Tate deep in the eighth inning to provide the game-winning runs and his 14th homer of the season. He has a modest four-game hitting streak, though his production in that span is notable as he's smacked three doubles and two homers. Despite the recent hot stretch, Martinez has only a .169 ISO across 577 plate appearances this season -- his lowest mark since 2013.
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Red Sox's J.D. Martinez: Connects for homer
Rotowire
Martinez went 2-for-5 with a double, a home run and a second run scored in Monday's 14-8 loss to the Orioles.
Martinez launched his 13th home run in the second inning off Jordan Lyles. The 34-year-old outfielder/DH, who will become a free agent this offseason, is in the finishing stretch of his fifth season with Boston. It's been his least productive year with the Red Sox, and Martinez is not expected to return in 2023. Nevertheless, he's expected to start most of the final eight games of 2022.
