Victor Martinez Hospitalized with Irregular Heartbeat, Placed on 10-Day DL

Detroit Tigers designated hitter Victor Martinez was hospitalized Thursday night after exiting the team's game against the Tampa Bay Rays early. 

He has been placed on the 10-day DL and John Hicks was called up by the Tigers, per Jason Beck of MLB.com.

Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said Friday on SiriusXM's MLB Network Radio (h/t Craig Calcaterra of NBC Sports) that V-Mart left the game after experiencing cold sweats, dizziness and an elevated heart rate.

Per MLB Network Radio, Ausmus added that it was "more scary than a general baseball injury."

If Martinez misses some time, he represents a significant potential loss for the Tigers as a middle-of-the-order bat who is currently producing a .261 batting average, five home runs and 29 RBI.

Following a career year in 2014 that saw him hit .335 with 32 home runs and 103 RBI as the American League MVP runner-up, Martinez was limited to 120 contests in 2015, hitting .245 with 11 homers and 64 RBI.

Knee surgery prior to the 2015 campaign put Martinez behind the eight ball, but 2016 was more representative of the type of player he has been for much of his career.

Martinez missed only eight games last season, and he put up big numbers with a .289 batting average, 27 homers and 86 RBI.

Martinez's potential absence will test Detroit's depth in a major way and perhaps force the likes of Mikie Mahtook and Andrew Romine into the lineup on a more consistent basis.