Los Angeles Dodgers slugger J.D. Martinez has been a brilliant addition to the team this season.
He has had incredible numbers and provided thump to the middle of the Dodgers lineup.
He has, however, been affected by a groin/hamstring injury for weeks.
The Dodgers gave him a few days off and tried everything to get him healthy, but they just made a decision: placing the player on the injured list, per Fabian Ardaya.
J.D. Martinez is going on the IL. Michael Busch has been called up.
— Fabian Ardaya (@FabianArdaya) August 22, 2023
Minor league slugger and top prospect Michael Busch has been called up to take his spot.
Despite losing him for at least a couple of weeks, placing Martinez on the shelf is the right move for the Dodgers.
The left groin injury has been nagging him since July and he couldn’t quite shake it off.
Perhaps what he needs is a couple of weeks of rest to give the injury enough time to properly heal.
Right now, the Dodgers have the luxury of having an eye in postseason planning already.
They are 76-47 for the year and have a 12-game cushion in the NL West.
They can afford to go a few days without Martinez if they can increase the chances of having him fully healthy in October, which is what they are doing.
The player has posted an .856 OPS with 25 homers across 390 plate appearances this season in his first season in Dodger blue.
He has been as good as advertised.
If anything, the roster move gives them some time to take a good look at Busch, considered a crucial piece in the future of the organization.
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