Victor Martinez is eying a September return.
It's not often you see a player wearing a knee brace, sitting at his locker, sporting an ear to ear grin. Especially one that deals with the day-to-day realization that he can't help his teammates win games. Victor Martinez has reason to smile.
The Tigers DH has been sidelined this year following microfracture knee surgery to repair his ACL. A second surgery was believed to be necessary. It was reconstructive in nature and was to sideline Martinez for all of 2012. In early April however, Martinez learned that a second surgery was not needed and a return to the lineup in September suddenly became possible.
Fast forward to Tuesday and Martinez sat at his locker patiently answering questions about his status. Judging by the aforementioned smile, Martinez is optimistic that he can rejoin his teammates in time to help power a stretch run for the post-season.
"It's a little tough to see your teammates running out there every day and you can't help," he said.
Sitting around and watching games on TV is getting old.
"You go crazy just watching the games," he said. "I am keeping my fingers crossed. I had a 20% chance before, now the doctors are saying I have a good chance of playing in September."
His return to the line-up would give the Tigers another potent bat to sit behind Miguel Cabrera and Prince Fielder. Imagine that middle of the line-up. What Victor provided to the club last year was immeasurable. One of the game's best hitters who came through repeatedly in the clutch. Martinez hit .360 last September and for the season he hit .394 with runners in scoring position, tops in the American League.
Seeing Martinez return to the Tigers line-up in September would not only raise his spirits but put a smile on the faces of Tigers fans as well.
The Tigers DH has been sidelined this year following microfracture knee surgery to repair his ACL. A second surgery was believed to be necessary. It was reconstructive in nature and was to sideline Martinez for all of 2012. In early April however, Martinez learned that a second surgery was not needed and a return to the lineup in September suddenly became possible.
Fast forward to Tuesday and Martinez sat at his locker patiently answering questions about his status. Judging by the aforementioned smile, Martinez is optimistic that he can rejoin his teammates in time to help power a stretch run for the post-season.
"It's a little tough to see your teammates running out there every day and you can't help," he said.
Sitting around and watching games on TV is getting old.
"You go crazy just watching the games," he said. "I am keeping my fingers crossed. I had a 20% chance before, now the doctors are saying I have a good chance of playing in September."
His return to the line-up would give the Tigers another potent bat to sit behind Miguel Cabrera and Prince Fielder. Imagine that middle of the line-up. What Victor provided to the club last year was immeasurable. One of the game's best hitters who came through repeatedly in the clutch. Martinez hit .360 last September and for the season he hit .394 with runners in scoring position, tops in the American League.
Seeing Martinez return to the Tigers line-up in September would not only raise his spirits but put a smile on the faces of Tigers fans as well.
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