Victor Martinez played through hernia injury last season

Detroit Tigers general manager Al Avila revealed Thursday that designated hitter Victor Martinez battled through a hernia injury during the 2016 campaign that ultimately required surgery in the offseason.

"He had a small hernia throughout the season," Avila said, according to MLB.com's Jason Beck. "And I don't know if you guys noticed, but during the season, he would always touch his stomach area.

"He had a hernia - it's not a sports-related hernia. It wasn't one of those that would keep you out. It's more of a hernia like we would get. He was able to play through it, so he had that taken care of in the offseason. Obviously, it was successful, so he went back and started working out."

Despite the painful setback, Martinez never missed prolonged stretches with the Tigers, appearing in 154 out of 161 games (game No. 162 against the Cleveland Indians was ultimately cancelled after being postponed due to rain).

The injury didn't appear to subdue his bat either as he finished the season with a .289/.351/.476 slash line and 27 home runs.