Victor Martinez Injury: Updates on Tigers Star's Knee Surgery and Recovery

Adam WellsFeb 5, 2015

Detroit Tigers slugger Victor Martinez underwent surgery for a torn meniscus. He will return prior to Opening Day.

Continue for updates.

Martinez in Lineup for Spring Training Debut

Sunday, March 22

The Tigers announced Martinez's role for today's game against the Braves:

Ausmus Told Martinez He Likely Won't Be Asked to Catch

Wednesday, March 18

James Schmehl of MLive.com reported comments from manager Brad Ausmus, who said he doesn't see Martinez playing behind the plate and has already informed Martinez of that decision.

Martinez Comments on Recovery

Thursday, March 11

Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reported that Martinez expects to be cleared to run:

"
Martinez, though, was expecting to take another step Thursday.
"If they let me, I am going to run today," Martinez said.
He did just that, in the outfield during pregame warmups.
Being three and a half weeks out of surgery, he seems to be right on the four-to-six week timetable the doctors prescribed for his recovery.
"I started doing a new workout for the knee this week," Martinez said. "Doing more weight – building strength."
His patience, though, is getting thin.
"It's tough," he said. "When you really love to play this game, you don't want to sit down and watch your team play. You want to be out there with them."
"

On March 3, Martinez talked about his injury telling reporters it happened while playing catch with his brother in front of his house, according to Jason Beck of MLB.com.

"The first thing I had in my head was, 'Not again, not again, not again,'" Martinez said, according to Beck.

Chris Iott of MLive.com reported that Martinez plans on being back for Opening Day, but he noted that the slugger wants at least two weeks of at-bats before he returns.

Martinez Cleared for Live Batting Practice

Monday, March 9

Schmehl reported Martinez participated in live batting practice for the first time since his surgery.

Martinez made the following comments: "It was the first time in a while and everything was fast, even BP. But I expected it to be like that. The first two swings I was just trying to get a feel. I just went from there. Little by little."

Martinez also talked about his rehab process, saying, "It's been tough. But it is what it is. It's what I have to do to get ready."

Dombrowski Comments on Martinez's Recovery

Monday, Feb. 23

"We told him we want him to stay there until he's ready to go," president and general manager Dave Dombrowski said last week, courtesy of Anthony Fenech of the Detroit Free Press. "He's making good progress. I would anticipate he would be here relatively soon, but we don't want him to make more of the baseball activities than we have at this time."

Martinez's Surgery Complete, Will Be Back Before Opening Day

Tuesday, Feb. 10

Iott provided comments from Tigers president Dave Dombrowski and manager Brad Ausmus following Martinez's surgery:

Catherine Slonksnis of BlessYouBoys.com reported the four- to six-week recovery window remains unchanged.

Martinez's Torn Meniscus Warrants Surgery

Thursday, Feb. 5

Detroit Tigers star Victor Martinez's status for spring training and the regular season is uncertain, as the slugger will have to undergo surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee.

According to a statement the Tigers released on Twitter, Martinez will have surgery February 10 after injuring the knee during an offseason workout:

This is the second time in three years that Martinez has suffered an injury to his left knee in the offseason. In January 2012, he tore his ACL and missed the entire season.

Martinez, who finished second in American League MVP voting last year, is coming off the best season of his career. He set career highs in home runs (32), average (.335), on-base percentage (.409) and slugging percentage (.565).

Tigers general manager Dave Dombrowski talked about Martinez's injury and what the club plans to do to replace him, according to Gabe Lacques of USA Today:

The Tigers rewarded Martinez's efforts with a four-year contract extension worth $68 million in November. If Martinez can't go on Opening Day, the Tigers lack a ready-made replacement for him at designated hitter. While first baseman Miguel Cabrera is a logical choice, the team was already thin on bench power. Either way, the Tigers would be adding a light-hitting bat to the lineup.

Given what he did last year, not to mention how Max Scherzer's departure has weakened Detroit's pitching staff, losing an All-Star hitter would put a huge dent in the team's hopes of making the playoffs in 2015—even if Martinez isn't able to replicate last year's form.