Could JD Martinez be done as a member of the Red Sox?

BOSTON — Could J.D. Martinez have played his final game as a member of the Red Sox? 

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An untimely injury and his contract situation made that a distinct possibility heading into Tuesday night’s American League Wild Card game with the Yankees. 

Martinez (left ankle) was omitted from the 26-man roster for this winner-take-all matchup between the two ancient rivals at Fenway Park. The slugger suffered a left ankle injury Sunday in the regular season finale, as Boston rallied to clinch an October berth thanks to a 7-5 victory over the Nationals. 

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“Not great, obviously,” Red Sox manager Alex Cora said. “He’ll be the best assistant hitting coach in the world tonight. That’s the way we see it.” 

Martinez was jogging to the outfield when he tripped over the second base bag at Nationals Park. He was ultimately removed from the game prior to the bottom of the fifth inning. Martinez received treatment on Monday but was still fell short of being cleared for this grudge match in the Back Bay. 

“For him not to post, it’s very serious,” Cora said. “It is what it is. That thing looks huge — humongous.” 

Kyle Schwarber slotted in atop the Red Sox order as the designated hitter. Kiké Hernandez made his first start outside the leadoff spot since June 26, batting second. Boston alternated left-handers and right-handers through the top six positions in the lineup, moving Rafael Devers up to third and Alex Verdugo up to fifth. 

“Who was going to hit behind Raffy,” Cora said. “Who was going to hit behind Bogey. I think with the personnel we have it was the best way to create balance in the top six spots of the lineup.” 

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The Rays were gearing to host the winner of this one in the A.L. Division Series on Thursday. First pitch is set for 8:07 p.m. at Tropicana Field, and the Red Sox would have until earlier that day to submit their next 26-man roster. Cora wouldn’t commit either way as to whether or not Martinez would be ready.  

“He’ll get treatment today and we’ll go from there,” Cora said. “But for tonight it was a no.” 

Martinez bounced back from a wretched 2020 with a more characteristic effort at the plate this season. He slashed .286/.349/.518 and closed in a four-way tie for the league lead with 42 doubles. Martinez was selected to his third All-Star team in four seasons with Boston. 

What could change entering 2022? In a word, everything. Martinez can opt out of the final year of his deal — the five-year pact he signed as a free agent prior to 2018 is worth $110 million. He counts for $22 million against the Competitive Balance Tax but is due just $19.375 million in real cash. 

Martinez could find himself negotiating with all 30 teams through agent Scott Boras. The sport’s Collective Bargaining Agreement expires in December, and there could be a renewed call for a universal designated hitter throughout the sport. That would allow National League clubs to bid for Martinez’s services, and he starred there briefly through 62 games with the Diamondbacks in 2017. 

Martinez turned 34 in August, and it stands to reason he could have multiple productive years remaining with the right club. Nelson Cruz has bashed 266 of his career 449 home runs since celebrating his 34th birthday in July 2014. Martinez could take a pay cut next season – to $18 million, for the sake of argument – but add more than $34 million in real money to his bank account if he agrees to a three-year deal. 

bkoch@providencejournal.com  

On Twitter: @BillKoch25