Martinez takes live batting practice for first time as rehab progresses
LAKELAND, Fla. -- Victor Martinez has been hitting in the cage but he finally got on the field for batting practice Monday.
Martinez took swings from the left side and the right side.
"I feel good," Martinez said. "It was the first time in a while and everything was fast, even BP. But I expected it to be like that."
Tuesday marks the four-week mark from when Martinez underwent surgery to trim his medial meniscus in his left knee.
Martinez acknowledged that taking live batting practice for the first time was a big step.
"It's a lot different," Martinez said. "I was only hitting soft toss. Now I see a little speed from the coaches (pitching). It's another step forward."
Martinez even managed to hit the last two pitches he faced out of the park.
"I wanted to just try to let it go a little bit at the end," Martinez said. "That's always going to feel good. At the same time, I know my game. Last year was last year. Everything I was hitting was going out. But I've been in the league long enough to know my game. That's why in BP I just hit gap to gap and work on hitting line drives. The rest will happen."
Martinez has been working hard every day so the Tigers gave him Sunday completely off.
He said he has not experienced soreness the day after his strenuous workouts but that's because he's been extremely diligent.
"It has been feeling good day after day, workout after workout," Martinez said. "I ice four to five times a day, then I get home and ice it some more. After everything I do today, I still have to go home and do my pool work. It's been tough but it is what it is. It's what I have to do to get ready."
Although the Tigers remain hopeful that Martinez will be ready for Opening Day, he's not thinking that far ahead.
"Just thank God everything is going good," Martinez said. "We will see what happens."
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