Mets slugger J.D. Martinez left Tuesday night’s game against the Oakland Athletics after getting hit on his left elbow by a 99.6 mph fastball from rookie Joe Boyle in the second inning.
The 36-year-old designated hitter was in visible pain and limped toward the Oakland dugout but stayed in the game for a short time after an athletic trainer checked on him.
Martinez scored New York’s first run on a single by Jose Iglesias, but was replaced by pinch-hitter Mark Vientos with two outs and two runners on base in the third inning. Boyle struck out Vientos, who was not starting due to a sore left ankle, maintaining Oakland’s 7-1 lead in their 9-4 win.
X-rays on Martinez’s elbow came back negative, and he said he is day-to-day.
Signed to a $12 million, one-year contract in March, Martinez is hitting .257 with 12 home runs and 53 RBIs in his first season with the Mets.
He contributed to New York’s push into the NL wild-card race by hitting .304 with six home runs and 23 RBIs from May 30 to June 28. However, the six-time All-Star has struggled recently, batting .208 with three homers, 19 RBIs, and 48 strikeouts in 120 at-bats over his last 35 games.
