Dodgers News: JD Martinez Talks Beating Eduardo Rodriguez After Disrespectful Situation

The All-Star veteran gets the last laugh against his former teammate.

The Dodgers beat the Detroit Tigers last night, 8-3, in an amazing effort by the team as they inch closer to winning 100 games this season.

J.D. Martinez tallied 5 RBIs in the contest off the back of two home runs against his former teammate, Eduardo Rodriguez.

Rodriguez notably invoked his no-trade clause at the deadline to stop a move that would have sent him to Los Angeles at the start of August.

Martinez and Mookie Betts, both teammates from their time in Boston, reached out to Rodriguez to vouch for the Dodgers but got radio silence during the busy day.

When asked about the situation and if there was any bad blood, Martinez used a tactic possibly learned from the situation.

“No comment,” Martinez said with a grin, when asked about homering twice against a player who did not return his text messages when the Dodgers were trying to woo Rodriguez at the trade deadline.

(via Mike DiGiovanna, The Los Angeles Times)

Aged veterans like Martinez have run into former teammates many times throughout their career and may always try a little harder to get bragging rights over them in their next conversation.

Well, Martinez gets all the bragging rights as he hit two homers off Rodriguez that night, including this three-run shot in the 3rd.

JUST DINGERS AGAIN. pic.twitter.com/yJW91kENsp

— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) September 19, 2023

Martinez told reporters that he and Rodriguez are still friends after a conversation and apology following the trade deadline situation.

“You know, everyone makes their decisions, everyone’s got their choices, why they did it. He texted me [afterward] and apologized. It was a family decision. I get it, man, he’s got to do what he has to do. We wanted him here, but it is what it is. … He’s a good guy, no hard feelings toward him.”



(via Mike DiGiovanna, The Los Angeles Times)

The Dodgers are now 92-57 and look to keep this hot streak rolling to end the year and carry it over to October where veterans like Martinez can help the Dodgers win another World Series.