Tigers' J.D. Martinez scheduled for stress test Friday
Lakeland, Fla. — J.D. Martinez will travel to Charlotte, North Carolina, on Friday to have his injured right foot examined and tested by Dr. Robert Anderson, a renowned orthopedic surgeon.
“He’s going to get a StressCT scan,” manager Brad Ausmus said, after a long meeting with general manager Al Avila and trainer Kevin Rand after the Tigers’ 5-1 win Monday over the Mets. “That will determine the definitive answer.”
Earlier in the day, Ausmus said Martinez told him the foot was feeling better and that he was encouraged.
“My optimism has not changed,” he said.
Martinez suffered a mid-foot sprain on Saturday and X-rays were negative. He had an MRI taken on Sunday and the Tigers were waiting for Dr. Anderson — who performed surgery on Miguel Cabrera’s ankle two years ago — to review the MRI results.
“He saw the same thing on the MRI that the other doctors had seen,” Ausmus said. “He said the stress test, which has to be done a week after the injury was sustained, is the best way to get a definitive answer as to whether it’s more (serious) than we think it is.”
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There is still a chance that Martinez could be cleared by Anderson and resume playing next week. There is also a chance Martinez will not be ready by opening day.
If he isn’t ready, the new 10-day minimum stay on the disabled list could benefit the Tigers. They could push it back and make it retroactive to include the final four days of spring training.
“Even if he had to go on the DL, with the off-day in Chicago, we’re looking at the first weekend that he could be back,” Ausmus said.
In that scenario, he would miss the White Sox series in Chicago, but could be activated for the first home series against the Red Sox — unless the injury is determined to be more serious.
It has been presumed that Steven Moya would fill the void in right field if Martinez had to miss time. He is out of minor-league options and if he didn’t make the 25-man roster, would be subjected to the waiver wire.
But Ausmus pumped the brakes on that presumption.
“I wouldn’t jump to any conclusions,” he said. “It hasn’t been discussed or decided upon. We are waiting for word on J.D.”
Ausmus was asked again after the game Monday about a contingency plan in right field.
“We have enough outfielders in camp right now to cover it,” he said.
Infante out
Omar Infante was scratched from the starting lineup Monday. His back stiffened up after batting practice. Brendan Ryan replaced him at second base.
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