J.D. Martinez still prepping, could join Mets in Atlanta

J.D. Martinez remains in upramp phase in Florida at the spring training complex for the New York Mets and is not likely to play for the MLB club this week.

Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said Thursday that Martinez could advance from Port St. Lucie to one of the minor-league affiliates this weekend, but joining the Mets for his first game with the club by Sunday appears doubtful.

Mendoza said timing and mechanics have been "off" for the 36-year-old, who signed a $12 million deal in the final days of spring training.

Mendoza and members of management ruled out taking Martinez to Cincinnati this weekend as the Mets start a seven-day road trip. Now, they are discussing an itinerary that would include having him join the club in Atlanta next week, allowing Martinez to maximize his preparation until then.

"This is a very meticulous guy. He knows his swing, very detail-oriented," Mendoza said. "But he's getting a ton of at-bats, and the feedback we're getting, he's moving in the right direction."

Martinez was expendable to the Los Angeles Dodgers after the team signed designated hitter Shohei Ohtani in the offseason.

Martinez was an All-Star for the third season in a row in 2023. In his lone season with the Dodgers, he hit .271 with a .321 on-base percentage, a .572 slugging percentage, 33 homers and 103 RBIs over 113 games.

The Mets are expected to closely monitor his progress before determining the next steps with Martinez. Mendoza said avoiding injuries by rushing Martinez was a consideration.

New York didn't confirm the rotation for next week with the four-game set in Atlanta starting Monday. But it's possible right-hander Julio Teheran, who agreed to a reported $2.5 million deal on Wednesday not yet officially confirmed by the team, could be the starter against his former team.

Teheran opted out of his deal with the Baltimore Orioles this spring when he didn't make the MLB roster. He went 1-1 with a 3.38 ERA in five appearances (four starts) during spring training.

Teheran, 33, has pitched in 30 games (29 starts) against the Mets in his career, going 10-10 with a 3.24 ERA. He is 6-4 with a 2.97 ERA in 15 starts at Citi Field.