Tampa Bay Rays designated hitter Jose Martinez has arrived in camp for the first time today. He confirmed that he had tested positive for coronavirus. He did feel sick with cold symptoms for a day, but otherwise felt fine during his 14-day quarantine, per Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times (Twitter links).
The Rays have had a number of their higher-profile players test positive for COVID-19, including Tyler Glasnow and Austin Meadows. Like Martinez, Glasnow is now back with the club getting ready for Opening Day. Meadows remains out without a definite timetable for his return.
Martinez thinks he’ll be able to go by Opening Day, but there’s no reason to overextend the slugger to get him ready. Martinez figures to get regular time at least against left-handers, though they may make an effort to get him on the field more frequently if he slugs. His primary utility is as a designated hitter, but he’s capable of giving the old college try at first base or right field as well. With the Cardinals last season, Martinez hit .269/.340/.410, down a bit in the power department from his career norms. With 42 of his at-bats coming as a pinch-hitter, however, the Rays are betting that more regular playing time will return Martinez to a level more commensurate with his .458 career slugging.
If he’s not ready by the start of the season, the Rays have built out an impressive collection of depth in the corner infielder/outfielder department. Yoshitomo Tsutsugo, Ji-Man Choi, Yandy Diaz, Hunter Renfroe, Nate Lowe or Brandon Lowe could all see time in the corners or at designated hitter. Brendan McKay could also get some at-bats at DH when he’s not on the hill.
WHO CARES. Why are we perpetuating this narrative that getting this virus matters to 99% of the population? It just increases people fear over something that almost nobody needs to be afraid of?
Well this effects the roster of the Rays, so MLBTR is going to report it
“Who cares that only 139,186 people have died in the US? It’s such a small percent and it hasn’t affected me! What about me and my baseball waaaahhhhhh”
That’s what you sound like you tool bag
@phillies, with you 100%. Just cuz chicubs isn’t afraid, doesn’t mean it’s not a real concern. MLBTR should be reporting on these cases, as the virus, to date, has been the biggest storyline of the whole 2020 season.
You know, you’re not required to say anything. That’s an option.
Losing Meadows and now Martinez to coronavirus is a huge blow for the Rays. But there is no reason to believe they will not get one of the wild cards in the AL. Better to lose these star type players now instead of later towards the playoffs.
Martinez is back now…….
Did you read the article? It says that Martinez is back in camp meaning that he could be in the opening lineup if they choose to or he could added to the lineup a few days later after the season begins. If I’m not mistaken Meadows is in camp as well. The Rays have a chance in winning the division.
Yeah boss read the article. That doesn’t mean he’ll be starting right away. D.J LeMahieu is back in the Yankees but that doesn’t mean he’ll be starting right away. Just give these players time to get healthy and get in better shape lst. No rush
“Huge blow”?
Please reread what I said. It’s important when you start reading something you start from the beginning to the end.
Enjoy being a wild card team this season. Good luck battling the Yankees. Let me know later in the season how that all works out! Lol!
Yeah huge blow. We will start calling your Rays. The COVID-19 Rays since so many players are getting sick in Tampa. Wish everyone a strong recovery. Nothing but love
Just remember the team who won the World Series last season won a wild card spot and eventually won the championship. Keep that in mind, my friend. It doesn’t matter about winning the division, what matters is winning the World Series. Enough said.
The rays will still battle Yankees down to the wire.
Yes they will battle and come up short, sorry. Don’t wanna lie to you. It’s just reality. Time for the Rays to move so they can keep these stars in their organization so they can compete for years to come. They owe it to their diehards like yourself
you’re a fool. Yankees cant stay healthy and without those oft-injured pieces the Rays can match up player-to-player
no, they can’t. Look at last year when the yanks pretty much had their whole team out, the rays still couldn’t hang with them.
Montreal Rays? West Virginia Rays? Has a much better ring to it. Whatever it takes to keep these star players in their organization. They gotta do it. Why trade Meadows before he hits free agency? Why not be able extend him before he leaves.
I mean, they’ve had good success, better than many teams, with a policy of trading big names rather than hand out big contracts. Maybe they’re on to something
Yeah no doubt they’ve had some success doing what your saying. But why do you think all the big wigs like Maddon and the GM’s left?It’s because their not going to be winning championships with that Philosophy. Maybe moving out of Tampa can change that?
you dont have any proof of that being the case
Ceg-Maddon and the front office mutually moved on as I remember, but made it to the world series in ’08. Friedman left for more money and a better situation (LA market), bloom and click both took jobs that promoted them to GM of their teams, again good situations to step into(hou based on talent and bos looking to regroup and large market). I’m not really seeing the philosophy and lack of winning as an issue. I see their personal salary and tampa’s payroll as one, if you even know the people I referenced above. That’s, like, your opinion man(and a wrong one at that).The dude abides…
We all have to remember the fluidity of the situation. Health at the beginning of the season doesn’t equate to health during the 60 days. All prognostications of the coming season can’t ignore it.
Absolutely correct my friend. We can’t call it
Sorry I came
Sorry I came off as a rays fan. I’ve been a diehard Yankees fan for 55years. Just saying those nitpicking rays will battle us to wire. I know they will come up empty.