Impact analysis: Cleveland's Martinez hits the DL
by Owen Kinsky, KFFL
KFFL: Over a dozen expert league championships — a proven source of player news and fantasy content.
Martinez, already playing with a bad hamstring, aggravated his inflamed elbow during a swing against the Twins on Wednesday night. He was promptly removed from the game and underwent an MRI. The results weren't good, as the Indians have already scheduled arthroscopic surgery for Friday, June 13, and Martinez is expected to be out six to eight weeks.
The cause of his struggles
Martinez had been a surprising bust this season prior to his injury. Though he had a quality month of April, hitting .350 with nine RBI, his stats dropped off in May and continued to slip until his injury. In May, Martinez only managed a .221 average and was just 6-for-30 (.200) in June. Since his nine-RBI opening month, Martinez had only added 11 more to his total in May and June. In addition, his power has been nonexistent this season. Martinez hit 25 homers last season, but had yet to go yard in 198 at-bats prior to the injury.
It seems fairly obvious now that the cause of his poor stats were at least partially due to his elbow injury. Apparently, Martinez first disclosed his arm discomfort to the team during their interleague series against the Reds back in the middle of May, though it had been bugging him for some time before that. With the Indians struggling at the time, they left him in the lineup hoping he would turn them around and undergo surgery following the season. The injury wasn't disclosed for fear that baserunners would steal more against a less than 100 percent Martinez. While the nondisclosure may have prevented that, it also fooled fantasy owners into thinking a fully healthy Martinez was ready to come out of his slump at any point.
Martinez also began the season with a bad hamstring, and it has lingered to this point in the season. The combination of arm and leg injuries have been enough to prevent Martinez from going deep yet this season, but it seems plausible that when Martinez is back healthy his power numbers will come with him.
What about the Tribe?
The Indians lineup is battered and bruised, with Martinez only the latest to get injured. Designated hitter Travis Hafner (shoulder) is also currently on the disabled list, and second baseman Josh Barfield (finger) was placed on it Thursday, June 12, along with Martinez. The Indians are now without their Opening Day No. 3 and No. 4 hitters in Hafner and Martinez, instead trotting out outfielder Ben Francisco and first baseman Ryan Garko, respectively.
Taking the spot of Martinez in the field is catcher Kelly Shoppach. In 370 career major league at-bats, Shoppach sports an average of .241 with 13 homers and 55 RBI. However, with Martinez expected out for six to eight weeks, this will be Shoppach's first extended action in a starting role with the club.
Options in free agency
As Martinez in most leagues was eligible at both catcher and first base, he was valuable to fantasy teams. Those who used him primarily at first base can consider themselves lucky, as there are likely many more first base options in free agency to replace Martinez than there are catchers.
A good player to obtain as a replacement at first would be Garko. He started the season slow, but Garko has hit .370 in 12 June games with two home runs and 15 RBI.
Another first baseman to consider should be Chris Duncan (St. Louis Cardinals). He was sent to the minors earlier this season, but Duncan is back in the majors and thrust into a starting role with the injury to slugger Albert Pujols (calf). Duncan hit .259 with 21 homers last season and could offer a reasonable source of power while Pujols is out of the lineup.
Replacing Martinez at catcher is slightly more difficult, as there are generally few options in free agency. One option for an everyday catcher could be Seattle backstop Kenji Johjima. Johjima, almost universally selected on draft day, has been a bust this season and many fantasy owners have likely released the slumping catcher. However, owners looking to replace Martinez can't be picky, and Johjima is a career .279 hitter. He will most likely improve upon his stats this season.
Many of the other options in free agency are only part-time catchers, but there are a few worth picking up to replace Martinez. Phillies catcher Chris Coste has been great in limited time this season and is hitting .313 with six homers, 17 RBI and 13 runs scored in a potent Phillies lineup. Even though he's playing only on a part-time basis, when he plays he can help fantasy clubs.
Another part-time catching option is Rockies catcher Chris Iannetta. He is currently batting .288 with six homers, 21 RBI and 16 runs scored. He is, however, splitting time with catcher Yorvit Torrealba. Iannetta is a solid catching option for those in need following this injury.
Fantasy baseball outlook
An unfortunate injury for owners, this may have actually been the best thing for Martinez. Out for six to eight weeks, he should be able to fully heal and come back at full strength. His playing injured negatively affected fantasy owners, the Indians, and more importantly, Martinez himself. A return at full strength could mean that owners would finally get what they expected out of Martinez when they selected him as a top-tier catcher in their draft.
Owners in all formats should stash Martinez, as he most likely will be returning shortly after the All-Star break. Even though it's a long period of time, stashing him could prove worthwhile as a healthy Martinez could help propel fantasy teams towards the top of the standings during the final months of the season.
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