OAKLAND, Calif. _ J.D. Martinez appears ready to take the field.
In the biggest step of his lengthy recovery from a Lisfranc sprain in his right foot, the Detroit Tigers announced Friday morning Martinez is scheduled to begin a minor league injury rehabilitation assignment with Class A Lakeland on Friday.
The move likely means Martinez is ready to test his foot in right field.
Martinez has been hitting in extended spring training games for the better part of a week. He fouled a pitch off his left foot Monday afternoon but X-ray tests were negative.
Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said a doctor looked at Martinez on Wednesday and there were no issues.
"It's really, J.D. can do as much physically as he can tolerate," Ausmus said.
The team's initial time frame on Martinez was three-to-five weeks from the date they announced the injury March 25. He was injured making a sliding catch in a Grapefruit League game on March 18. The six-week mark is Friday (today). Martinez has not suffered any setbacks, but the running phase of his rehab proved to be the most difficult hurdle, which apparently he has passed.
Without any further setbacks, it's likely the team will increase Martinez's innings with the Flying Tigers and once he is able to play a full game defensively, send him to Triple-A Toledo for a couple of games before activating him off the 10-day disabled list.
Logically, that progression could take up to a week.
In 2016, Martinez hit .307 with 22 home runs and 68 RBIs. His season was shortened by a broken elbow, which kept him out six weeks.
The Tigers' sorely miss his bat in the middle of the batting order. He is scheduled to hit free agency in the offseason.
