J.D. Martinez Has Mets' Debut Delayed amid Back Injury; Will Rest 3-5 Days

New York Mets designated hitter J.D. Martinez will rest for at least the next three days after receiving a cortisone shot in his back Tuesday.

Martinez, who signed a one-year, $12 million contract with the Mets last month, is yet to make his team debut.

"Last year in April he dealt with it, got a shot in April and was back seven days later," Mets manager Carlos Mendoza told reporters Tuesday. "He got a shot today. ... He said, 'Last year I got a shot and I was perfectly fine for the rest of the season.'"

Martinez, 36, hit .271/.321/.572 with 33 home runs and 103 runs batted in last season with the Los Angeles Dodgers. While Martinez has not been a regular in the outfield in recent seasons, it was a surprise to see him languish as long as he did on the free-agent market. He was one of the league's most productive designated hitters and still has some years left on his body at 36.

The Mets got what felt like a steal at $12 million for one season of Martinez, but his continued back issues may present a problem.

If the shot is enough to do the trick as it was last year, the Mets should have Martinez in their lineup within the next couple of weeks. Given their dreadful offensive start to the season, the sooner Martinez is in the lineup, the better.