J.D. Martinez to Miss 3-4 Weeks with Foot Injury, Won't Need Surgery

Detroit Tigers outfielder J.D. Martinez will miss the start of the regular season due to a sprained ligament in his foot. 

Per Chris McCosky of the Detroit News, Martinez will be in a cast for the next seven to 10 days and miss three to four weeks after being diagnosed with a sprained Lisfranc ligament that won't require surgery.  

This is a difficult setback for Martinez, especially since he suffered a fracture in his elbow last season and played just 120 games. That represented a drastic drop-off from his 158 appearances in 2015.

Martinez still slashed .307/.373/.535 with 22 home runs in 2016 and is going to be a key contributor in the middle of the Tigers lineup this season when healthy.

When healthy, he is one of the most productive hitters for the Tigers, as he displayed in 2015 when he drilled 38 home runs and tallied 102 RBI.

He possesses power and the ability to hit for average and get on base, which makes him all the more dangerous in an order filled with long-ball hitters like Miguel Cabrera, Victor Martinez, Justin Upton and Ian Kinsler.

Detroit still has those pieces to anchor the offense and will likely turn toward Steven Moya and Tyler Collins to occupy right field until Martinez returns.

While there are enough pieces to survive a short-term setback, the Tigers are a much more potent offensive team when Martinez is healthy and in the lineup.