The Opener: Martinez, Chisholm, Opt-Out Decisions

Here are three things we’ll be watching around baseball as the calendar flips to May.

1. A potential IL stint for Justin Martinez:

Diamondbacks righty Justin Martinez had one of the most disappointing outings of his young career on Wednesday, giving up a home run and two walks before exiting the game. It was only the second time he had ever been removed mid-inning before recording an out. After the contest, D-backs manager Torey Lovullo told reporters, including Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic, that Martinez could go for testing on his right arm and that a stint on the injured list is a possibility.

It’s not yet clear where Martinez’s injury is located (if he is indeed injured at all), but his velocity has dropped substantially over his past few appearances. Early in the season, he was averaging triple digits with his sinker, but his velocity was down to the 97-98 mph range in two appearances over the weekend. Last night, his sinker was averaging just 93.5 mph, according to Baseball Savant. Earlier this week, Martinez told MLB.com’s Steve Gilbert that he wasn’t concerned, saying, “My arm feels good.” Yet, given his dramatic decline in velocity, it’s no wonder the Diamondbacks are worried about a potential injury. Presumably, the team will provide more updates if and when Martinez goes for imaging.

2. MRI for Jazz Chisholm Jr.

Yankees second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. exited early on Tuesday and sat out Wednesday’s series finale against the Orioles with what was originally deemed “right flank discomfort” and later clarified to be an oblique issue (per Bryan Hoch of MLB.com). Chisholm himself has downplayed the severity of the injury, but manager Aaron Boone isn’t quite as optimistic. The skipper told reporters (including Chris Kirschner of The Athletic): “[Chisholm is] in pretty good spirits. He just told me, ’I’m fine.’ I don’t know about that.” Boone suggested that despite Chisholm’s good spirits, an IL stint might be in order. According to Greg Joyce of the New York Post, Chisholm was still feeling sore on Wednesday, and an MRI today will help the Yankees determine next steps.

3. Opt-out opportunity for veterans on minor league deals:

The collective bargaining agreement between MLB and the MLBPA allows Article XX(B)-designated free agents (those with at least six years of service time who finished the previous campaign on a major league roster or injured list) three chances to opt out of minor league deals they may have signed, presuming they signed those deals at least ten days before Opening Day and they haven’t been added to their team’s 40-man roster. One of those opt-outs is today, May 1. Some notable veterans who could exercise their opt-outs include Eloy Jiménez (Rays) and Andrew Chafin (Tigers). Yasmani Grandal, who signed a minor league contract with the Red Sox after Opening Day, also reportedly has a May 1 opt-out in his deal.