J.D. Martinez hasn't played since the 2024 season.
Despite not playing since the 2024 season, former Boston Red Sox All-Star J.D. Martinez is back in baseball as of Tuesday.
According to a report from the Boston Globe, Martinez is going to be a special advisor to the New York Mets. It's unclear what he'll exactly he'll do for the Mets, but his return to the organization is notable. He played for New York in 2024 - his presumptive final season in the big leagues.
Martinez is now 38 years old and was one of the best hitters in baseball from the mid-to-late 2010s and early 2020s.
About Martinez
A 14-year veteran of the Houston Astros, Detroit Tigers, Arizona Diamondbacks, Red Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers and Mets, Martinez is a six-time All-Star with a lifetime .283 batting average.
He signed with the Red Sox for the 2018 season, staying there through 2022. He helped Boston win the World Series in 2018, hitting .330 with 43 homers and 130 RBIs. Known as a great influence on hitters, he could help the Mets offense if his advisory position puts him in an on-field coaching role.
With the Red Sox in 2018, he paired with Mookie Betts to make up one of the best duos in baseball. Andrew Benintendi, Jackie Bradley Jr. and Xander Bogaerts were also integral parts of that team, along with Chris Sale and David Price on the pitching staff.
After the Red Sox, he spent one year with the Dodgers and one with the Mets. He was an All-Star with Los Angeles in 2023, hitting .271 with 33 homers.
Boston Red Sox designated hitter J.D. Martinez (28) rounds the bases after hitting a home run in the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds, Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2022, at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati. About the current Red Sox
Out to a 1-3 start, the Red Sox will be in Houston for another matchup with the Astros on Tuesday night at 8:10 p.m. ET. Right-hander Brayan Bello will make his first start of the campaign, being opposed by Hunter Brown.
Brown is one of the top pitchers in the American League, finishing in the top three of AL Cy Young voting last season. Bello represented the Dominican Republic at the World Baseball Classic and didn't necessarily get a full spring training build up, which likely contributed to him getting the fifth start of the year.
Boston lost 8-1 on Monday night as Ranger Suarez was roughed up in his first Red Sox start. He gave up four earned runs in 4.1 innings. Johan Oviedo finished the game, covering the last 3.2 innings. At least that saved the bullpen for Tuesday's contest.
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