Dodgers News: Dave Roberts Reveals Reason for JD Martinez’s Absence From Tuesday’s Lineup

It was his first off day of the season.

Dodgers designated hitter J.D. Martinez wasn't in the Dodgers lineup on Tuesday for the first of three games against the Pirates in Pittsburgh. It was Martinez's first day off of the season, and it came after the Dodgers had a day off on Monday — so the timing was definitely a little weird.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts spoke to reporters on Tuesday, and provided the reasoning for having Martinez out of Tuesday's lineup — and it wasn't just for a normal day off. Roberts said that Martinez felt "a little something" in his back on Sunday against the Cubs, and that is the reason he's out of Tuesday's lineup. That's also why Dodgers rookie Michael Busch — who's making his MLB debut on Tuesday — is DH'ing.

Dave Roberts said JD Martinez felt “a little something” in his back during Sunday’s game in Chicago

Roberts said the hope is he could be back tomorrow, but will depend how he’s feeling

— Jack Harris (@ByJackHarris) April 25, 2023

Roberts did say he hopes Martinez will be back in the lineup on Wednesday, which would be good news for LA. However, it will depend on how he's feeling, and if his back improves with the two days off.

The 35-year-old has started to swing a better bat as of late, going 7-for-his-last-23 with three home runs, two doubles and six RBIs in his last six games. He's been a solid run scorer at the No. 5 spot in the Dodgers lineup, slashing .250/.306/.534 with four home runs, nine doubles and 15 runs batted in this season.

Hopefully he's not out of the lineup too long, as the Dodgers already miss Will Smith, and are now without Max Muncy who's out on paternity leave. Ideally, it's just a one-game absence for Martinez, and he's back in the Dodgers lineup on Tuesday.

Michael Busch's Opportunity

Martinez being out of the lineups means Michael Busch is making his MLB debut at the DH position. Busch has minor league experience playing first base, second base, third base and left field, but isn't very good at any of the positions.

The Dodgers are very excited about his bat, as he slashed .337/.461/.506 in Triple-A this season. This way, they're able to get all the perks of his plus-bat, and don't have to have him worrying about fielding in his major league debut.

Michael Busch's stats at Triple-A this season:

.337/.461/.506
28-for-83
2 HR
16 RBI
8 2B
17 R
18 BB

He's played 1B, 2B, 3B and LF in the minor leagues.

He'll get an opportunity with the Dodgers for a few days with Max Muncy on the paternity list, but hopefully stays up longer.

— Noah Camras (@noahcamras) April 24, 2023

If Martinez is able to return on Wednesday, we'll likely see Busch somewhere in the field, likely at either second or third base.

If the Dodgers decide to keep Miguel Vargas at second, Busch will play third. And if the Dodgers want to allow Vargas to get a few reps at his original position, third base, Busch could play some second. But if Martinez is out again on Wednesday, we could see Busch right back at the DH spot.