Mets DH J.D. Martinez Shut Down for 3-5 Days

The Mets' slugger is dealing with lower back tightness and received a cortisone shot.

Sep 28, 2023; Denver, Colorado, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter J.D. Martinez (28) runs / Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

The New York Mets' wait for star designated hitter J.D. Martinez has gotten longer.

According to team manager Carlos Mendoza, Martinez is not only dealing with lower back tightness, but he had to receive a cortisone shot to ease the discomfort. He will be shut down for 3-5 days.

Carlos Mendoza says that J.D. Martinez received a cortisone shot today for lower back tightness and will rest for 3-5 days: pic.twitter.com/uvrVaPPJkN

— SNY (@SNYtv) April 9, 2024

"This is something he's dealt with for the past few years," Mendoza said to the media. "This guy's almost up to 80 at-bats in two weeks; I don't think any position player when they first report to spring training goes through that quick of a ramp-up."

This was the risk with signing JDM. He had back issues for his last several seasons with the Sox which is why the Mets didn’t trade for him in 2022 https://t.co/gGmv8A5A3j

— Pat Ragazzo (@ragazzoreport) April 9, 2024

This isn't anything new for Martinez, as he's had back issues in the past. In fact, it was a central reason why the Mets didn't trade for him at the 2022 deadline when he was with the Boston Red Sox; the Mets gave the Red Sox an offer, but the back issues ended up being a deal-breaker.

The 36-year-old Martinez signed a one-year, $12 million contract with the Mets on March 23, just five days before Opening Day. As such, he has been participating in an abbreviated and accelerated spring training due to signing so late in the offseason. He is currently with the Single-A St. Lucie Mets, and started experiencing discomfort last Thursday; Mendoza initially described it as "overall body soreness" on Sunday.

This is certainly a less-than-ideal scenario for the Mets, but the lineup has shown improvement lately. Despite struggling immensely during their opening homestand against Milwaukee and Detroit, the bats have shown more life during their six-game road trip in Cincinnati and Atlanta; Monday's game against the Braves in particular saw the team rally from an early 4-0 deficit to win 8-7.

Martinez will continue to get into game shape after the 3-5 day layoff, and hopefully will make his Mets debut soon; with the team beginning to find its footing, adding Martinez right behind Pete Alonso in the batting order will create a lineup that opposing pitchers will have trouble navigating.