Mets designated hitter J.D. Martinez suffered a left elbow contusion after being hit by a 99.6-mph fastball, forcing him to leave Tuesday’s loss to the A’s.
X-rays came back negative for Martinez, who was not expected to undergo additional imaging, according to Mets manager Carlos Mendoza.
Martinez stayed in as a baserunner after Oakland starter Joe Boyle plunked him in the second inning at Citi Field, but he was removed in the fourth before his next at-bat.
“Once I got to second base, I was like, ‘Oh, OK, I’m gonna be OK,’” Martinez said. “And then I ran, and I felt like I got hit again. I was like, “Dude, my arm is killing me.’ Pretty much no strength, that’s what it feels like. You can’t squeeze your hand.”
The 36-year-old Martinez is hitting .257 with 12 home runs and 53 RBI in 319 at-bats this season, which is first with the Mets.
The six-time All-Star signed a one-year, $12 million contract with the Mets in March after becoming one of several high-profile Scott Boras clients to endure a prolonged free agency. Martinez has primarily batted third, fourth or fifth — where he hit Tuesday — since debuting with the Mets on April 26.
“They’re saying it should be fine,” Martinez said of his elbow. “I’m hoping [to be back] tomorrow, but we’ll see how it feels.’
Mark Vientos pinch hit for Martinez after beginning Tuesday on the bench due to a sore left ankle. Vientos finished 1-for-2 with two walks.
That ankle issue caused Vientos to be scratched from Sunday’s series finale in Seattle, but manager Carlos Mendoza said before Tuesday’s game that the third baseman could be an option off of the bench, and that he may start Wednesday.
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