Detroit Tigers MLB 2015 Roster News, Rumors: Victor Martinez Should Be Ready for Opening Day
Victor Martinez had an off season injury that looked to cost him the beginning of the 2015 season. He tore the meniscus in his left knee, but reports coming out of Lakeland, Florida the Spring Training home of the Detroit Tigers seem to indicate that he could be ready to go by Opening Day. Victor is a key piece of the Detroit offense, and the need his bat in the lineup every day to provide protection for Miguel Cabrera.
Victor is valuable as the everyday cleanup hitter in a lineup that could look very dangerous from 3 to 6. With Cabrera and Martinez tentatively locked into the three and four spots, the Tigers have Yoenis Cespedes and JD Martinez to hit behind them and that is enough fire power to make nay starting pitcher have bad dreams.
The Tigers believe in Victor Martinez so much they signed the 36 year old to a brand new 4 year 68 million dollar contract. Having Victor healthy and producing everyday is a key part of the Tigers plan for 2015. The last time Victor missed significant time for injuries they team over reacted and went out and signed Prince Fielder to an enormous contract. When that move failed to bring home a World Series title the team dealt Fielder to the Texas Rangers for second baseman Ian Kinsler and other pieces.
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Chris Iott of Mlive.com tweeted that, "Victor Martinez is confident he remains on track to play opening day, Would like two weeks of at bats if possible." That seems to indicate Victor wants to play some in Spring Training or failing that make the trip north to the Tigers' Triple A affiliate to get some at bats he thinks he needs to prepare himself for the 2015 season.
Martinez was quoted by the Detroit Free Press, "I was really scared, I'm not gonna lie. I had a lot of stuff going on in my head, a lot of thinking. And thank God, (the surgeons) went in there, they didn't repair anything, just clean it."
