It's not something that will happen often, but Victor Martinez might have given manager Jim Leyland an interesting option.
Before the Tigers headed to New York for a three-game inter-league series against the Mets, Leyland said he was "contemplating" having Martinez catch in a game.
That way, the Tigers could keep Martinez's bat in the lineup when they lost the designated hitter.
On Friday, Leyland's contemplation became a reality as he wrote Martinez into the lineup at catcher, the first time Martinez caught in a game since Aug. 4, 2011.
Leyland's reasoning for having Martinez catch Doug Fister was that Fister might be a little easier for him to handle after not having caught in a while than a flame-thrower like Max Scherzer or Justin Verlander.
Mission: accomplished.
Martinez caught seven innings and faced most situations a catcher would face -- play at the plate, fielding a bunt, trying to throw a runner out at second.
Although Martinez wasn't able to throw out the base stealer, he called a good game for Fister and the Tigers prevailed, 6-1, backed by home runs from Torii Hunter, Miguel Cabrera and Austin Jackson.
Martinez, who had been catching some bullpens in preparation, was excited.
"It definitely feels great," Martinez told FOX Sports Detroit's Mickey York on the post-game show. "It's a great feeling to be on the field again. It was something that I definitely wanted to give a try again and after having a tough year last year with the (knee) surgery. I'm not going to lie. It feels great and it tastes even better getting a 'W.'"
Martinez also did not seem to be any worse for the wear physically.
"I'm the kind of guy that I always work out like I"m an everyday player," Martinez said. "I feel really good right now. We'll see how it feels tomorrow but I don't think it's going to be a big deal."
Without prompting, Fister mentioned that Martinez catching was a big deal on the post-game show.
"I think a big thing today was the job Victor did behind the plate," Fister told York. "He was bouncing like he was 21 again and just as excited as could be. The fact that he was back there bouncing and fielded a couple bunts, getting those ground balls, he did a great job tonight."
Leyland was pleased with both the game's outcome and Martinez's play behind the plate.
"He did great," Leyland said. "He caught the ball very well, he made a couple nice plays, he blocked the ball well. He did fine."
It was not Martinez's first rodeo, of course. Before this season, Martinez had caught 853 games in the big leagues.
"We joked about this early on, that it's like riding a bike," FOX Sports Detroit analyst Craig Monroe said. "He made it look tonight like it was almost like riding a bike. He was very comfortable behind the plate. This is what he loves to do."
Leyland said before the game that starting catcher Alex Avila, who has been on the 7-day concussion list since Aug. 11, left Thursday night's game after catching three innings because of headaches.
While Brayan Pena and Bryan Holaday have held down the fort in Avila's absence, Martinez's play Friday night might give Leyland another possibility at catcher, especially if Avila misses extended time.
"He works his butt off, he worked really hard this offseason to get his legs and lower body in shape," Monroe said. "I absolutely believe that he's capable and you saw the excitement on his face when he was just talking about getting back behind the plate. He is excited about that and that's why I do believe that he can do it."
Saturday showdown looms
As excited as the Tigers were about Friday's victory, they were also anticipating Saturday's pitching matchup: Max Scherzer (18-1, 2.82) vs. Matt Harvey (9-4, 2.25).
The two started in the All-Star Game at Citi Field last month.
"This place is going to be hopping tomorrow," Leyland said. "Two really, really good pitchers having really, really good years. Should be fun."
Nobody is expecting too many runs to be scored on the FOX national broadcast.
"I'm looking forward to it," Hunter said. "Scherzer and Harvey going at it, it's going to be a pitchers' duel. But you've got to play good, fundamentally sound baseball and that's going to determine who wins."
