Tigers veteran Victor Martinez needs surgery after tearing the medial meniscus in his left knee. Martinez hurt the same knee three years ago during an offseason workout, but then it was his anterior cruciate ligament.
“It’s not the same injury, but I’m still holding my breath,” manager Brad Ausmus said.
No timetable has been announced for Martinez’s return, but the Tigers are hoping he isn’t out for a lengthy period of time. The last time Martinez his knee, the Tigers signed Prince Fielder to a nine-year, $214 million contract that January. Fielder was traded to the Rangers, though, after two seasons in Detroit. For now, the Tigers’ plans for this offseason haven’t been severely affected, general manager Dave Dombrowski wrote in an email to The Associated Press.
“There are no changes in our plans at this time,” Dombrowski added. “We will evaluate that after his surgery.”
Last year, Detroit relied on the duo of Martinez and Miguel Cabrera for offensive power, but with Martinez’s injury and Cabrera returning from right ankle surgery, that might not be a surefire combo.
However, Ausmus said he has players like Yoenis Cespedes and J.D. Martinez he can slide into the designated hitter slot if Victor Martinez is still not 100 percent.
In terms of first base, if Cabrera needs more time, Ausmus said catcher Alex Avila can log time at first in the spring, as can infielder Andrew Romine.
For right now, Detroit will have to wait and learn more to see what its lineup with look like for the season.
“You try to make the best of it,” Ausmus said.
