V.Martinez will probably be back June 1st if the news i was hearing is right
I sure hope so, the last time Victor Martinez injured his left knee, the Tigers spent over $200 million on Prince Fielder to replace him. Nothing like that is likely to happen this time around, however.
First, Martinez's meniscus tear isn't believed to be quite as severe.
Second, the Tigers' options to replace him aren't nearly as strong.
Until the Tigers get a more definitive diagnosis next week on how long Martinez will need to recover from surgery, they're keeping their options open.
Then there’s Miguel Cabrera, who is recovering from surgery to repair a stress fracture in his right foot. Cabrera, too, has a doctor's visit coming up, this one for a follow-up exam in a week and a half that is expected to give him clearance for baseball activity. If he's cleared, the Tigers expect him to be ready on or near Opening Day. If he's delayed, then Detroit has potentially two huge voids to fill, at least at season's start. Martinez was expected to be an option at first base if Cabrera wasn't ready to go. Now, that plan is out.
Catcher Alex Avila, has played some third base during Inter-league Play, was already expected to play some at first base in Spring Training as a precaution. He now becomes a realistic option. Two ***** League first basemen, Jordan Lennerton and Aaron Westlake, are also options. Lennerton, was a Futures Game participant and Triple-A All-Star in 2013 before he struggled last year. Westlake was a third-round pick in 2011 but struggled to hit last season at Double-A Erie, batting .236 with 15 home runs and 49 RBIs.
If Cabrera is ready at first base, they can rotate at designated hitter from their group of outfielders, including J.D. Martinez, Yoenis Cespedes and Rajai Davis. One intriguing option could be top outfield prospect Steven Moya, who hit 35 home runs at Double-A Erie last year.