Tigers' Martinez undergoes surgery; expected to be ready Opening Day
Finally, some good news for the Detroit Tigers.
The team said it's optimistic designated hitter Victor Martinez will be ready for the start of the season after undergoing surgery Tuesday to repair his torn left meniscus.
"We are happy the surgery went well and that Victor will be ready to compete for the start of the 2015 season," Tigers general manager Dave Dombrowski said in a statement.
Martinez, who's expected to resume full activities in four-to-six weeks, underwent medial menisectomy surgery on his left knee after tearing it during a recent workout. The procedure was performed by Dr. James Andrews in Pensacola, Fla.
"I would say based on Dr. Andrews' assessment that this is about as good of news that we could have hoped for," said Tigers manager Brad Ausmus. The plan, according to the team, will be to keep Martinez in crutches until the swelling in his knee subsides.
Martinez's prognosis is especially encouraging for a Tigers club still uncertain about when injured slugger Miguel Cabrera will return. The two-time MVP is recovering from offseason ankle surgery and a status update isn't expected until next week at the earliest.
There was particular concern over Martinez's latest injury after he missed the entire 2012 season with a torn ACL in the same knee.
Martinez, 36, has been a model of good health ever since, appearing in 310 games - the most of his career over a two-year stretch.
"Vic was in great shape prior to the surgery," Tigers athletic trainer Kevin Rand told reporters. "That should really bode well for his rehab."
The switch-hitting veteran enjoyed his finest season to date in 2014, clubbing a career-high 32 homers and pacing the majors with a .974 OPS. Martinez was rewarded for his efforts this past winter, inking a four-year, $68-million contract to stay with the Tigers.
An Opening Day lineup featuring both Cabrera and Martinez would go a long way in helping the club cope with the loss of Max Scherzer, who signed a $210-million deal with the Washington Nationals this winter after spending the last five seasons in Detroit.