Detroit Tigers

Tigers put DH Victor Martinez on DL with irregular heartbeat

Published Jun. 16, 2017 5:58 p.m. ET

DETROIT (AP) The Detroit Tigers have put designated hitter Victor Martinez on the 10-day disabled list because of an irregular heartbeat.

Martinez came out of Thursday's win over Tampa Bay in the seventh inning with a racing heartbeat, dizziness and cold sweats. He was originally treated in the clubhouse for dehydration, but was taken to the hospital when the symptoms continued.

The 38-year-old Martinez was still in the hospital on Friday afternoon as the doctors tried to find the cause.

''It's a little scary,'' Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said. ''It's not something that, at his age, you generally consider an issue or worry about.''

''I think there's a little bit of an unknown factor, which is causing more anxiety than anything else,'' he said

The Tigers called up catcher/first baseman John Hicks from Triple-A Toledo. Ausmus plans to use the DH slot to give some rest to players dealing with minor injuries.

Miguel Cabrera, who hit a game-winning homer in the ninth inning on Thursday, was the designated hitter Friday against the Rays. Cabrera is dealing with back and groin problems and hadn't homered since May 20.