Dodgers News: Trying to 'Play Hero' Landed JD Martinez on the IL
It feels like forever since the Dodgers last fielded the 1 through 9 that was in the starting lineup on opening day. Will Smith missed two-plus weeks with concussion symptoms. Mookie Betts missed a few games on the paternity list. So did Max Muncy. Miguel Rojas has missed the last 10 or so games. And now J.D. Martinez is on the injured list with a lower back issue.
At times it feels like a nice surprise that the Dodgers are actually a game over .500.
For some of the guys listed above, it was bad luck or just the timing of 9 months ago on the calendar that took them out of the lineup. For Martinez, it was him admittedly being a little stubborn.
He told reporters on Friday that he should have spoken up as soon as he felt something in his back during the series in Chicago. The flare-up happened after he hit a 6th inning home run off Marcus Stroman. However, the issue didn't happen on the swing but while he was jogging around the bases on the home run trot, according to AM 570 LA Sports Radio.
“Honestly, I was just being dumb," said Martinez, "trying to be a hero, tried to weather it out. I should have spoken up sooner. It probably would’ve saved me, but it’s one of those things where I irritated it, and now I have to wait until it calms down.”
So, for now, the Dodgers will be without another big bat in the lineup.
How Soon Can JD Martinez Return From The Injured List?
The Dodgers placed Martinez on the 10-day IL on Friday but back dated the stay to April 25th. The soonest he can return would be May 5th, just in time for the start of a series against the Padres in San Diego.
Who Will Replace JD Martinez in the Dodgers Lineup?
So far, Dave Roberts has returned to treating the DH spot as a partial day off for players. David Peralta had a game at DH. Rookie Michael Busch actually made his MLB debut in the DH role. And on Friday, Will Smith returned from his long IL stint as the DH, which is where he's expected to be again tonight against the Cardinals.
