Boston Red Sox outfielder and designated hitter J.D. Martinez is off to a quality start at the plate this season. The slugger is batting .250 with a .342 on-base percentage and a home run in 38 plate appearances for the Red Sox entering play on Monday. One of the best home run hitters in the sport, Martinez has batted cleanup for Boston in every game this season and should continue to benefit from hitting in the middle of a lineup that also features Rafael Devers, Trevor Story, and Xander Bogaerts. While he only has one home run so far, more should be on the way. The 34-year-old has already collected four barrels.

Boston Red Sox designated hitter J.D. Martinez is will see significant time in right field this season. The Red Sox plan to platoon Jackie Bradley Jr. (against righties) and Martinez (against lefties) in right field. "It helps that J.D. can play the outfield," said Red Sox manager Alex Cora. "It's going to help us. That way, I can give Xander Bogaerts and Rafael Devers a few days DHing against lefties, even Trevor Story. Then Bobby Dalbec will do his thing. The 34-year-old has outfield eligibility after logging 36 games in the outfield in 2021 and should have no problem retaining that eligibility in 2023. Earlier in the offseason, Martinez declined to exercise the opt-out clause in his contract to remain with Boston for the 2022 season. He slashed .286/.349/.518 with a .867 OPS, 28 home runs, 99 RBI, and an MLB-leading 42 doubles. Martinez is expected to hit cleanup for Boston and is being selected as a top-20 outfielder in fantasy for upcoming drafts.

Boston Red Sox designated hitter J.D. Martinez declined to exercise the opt-out clause in his contract and will remain with the team for the 2022 season. Martinez's market could markedly improve next offseason if a universal DH is implemented in baseball when the new Collective Bargaining Agreement is worked out this winter. Had he opted out of his $19.375 million deal for next year, Boston would have surely extended Martinez a qualifying offer. It's the third straight year that the slugger has opted in to remain with Boston. Martinez had a tough season in the pandemic-shortened 2020 campaign, but he bounced back to hit .286/.349/.518 with an .867 OPS, 28 home runs, 99 RBI and an MLB-leading 42 doubles. The 34-year-old was an All-Star for the third time in his career and also hit an impressive .344/.447/.688 with three homers and 10 RBI in the postseason.

Boston Red Sox designated hitter J.D. Martinez continued his hot hitting in Game 3 of the ALCS Monday, going 2-for-3 with a home run, a double, a walk, two RBI, and two runs scored. Martinez has now recorded 11 hits in 27 postseason at-bats this season with three homers, 10 RBI, and four runs scored. He seems to have regained some balance and timing at the plate since injuring his ankle tripping over second base in the season finale, and fantasy managers have to be wondering if he should do so intermittently during the 2022 season.

Boston Red Sox designated hitter J.D. Martinez got Game 2 started off on the right foot Saturday, as he delivered a grand slam in the top of the first inning. He also singled in five at-bats. The former Astro has a 1.112 OPS with two homers and eight RBI through his first 23 at-bats of the postseason. He should be in the lineup batting fifth or sixth every day the rest of the way.

Boston Red Sox designated hitter J.D. Martinez (ankle) may have gone on the injured list if this was the regular season, but instead he returned to the lineup for Friday's Game 2 against the Tampa Bay Rays and went 4-for-5 with a home run, a double, three RBI, and a run scored in the 14-6 victory. The injury clearly did not affect Martinez's timing or his ability to swing, as he provided the biggest blow with a three-run shot in the top of the fifth inning off Matt Wisler. Martinez shouldn't miss any time going forward unless there's a reaggravation, and he's a solid DFS play.

Boston Red Sox designated hitter and outfielder J.D. Martinez (ankle) is back in the lineup for Game 2 of the American League Division Series against the Tampa Bay Rays and right-hander Shane Baz. Martinez wasn't on Boston's roster for the team's Wild-Card game win against the New York Yankees due to a left ankle sprain. He also wasn't in the lineup for Thursday's series opener against the Rays, but returns on Friday. Martinez is hitting sixth and starting at designated hitter. The veteran finished the regular season hitting .312 with a .367 on-base percentage and five home runs in his last 121 plate appearances dating back to August 28.

Boston Red Sox outfielder J.D. Martinez (ankle) could be in the starting lineup for Game 2 of the ALDS against the Tampa Bay Rays. After the team's Game 1 loss, Red Sox manager Alex Cora told reporters that there was a "strong possibility" that Martinez would play in Game 2. The 34-year-old slugger is currently dealing with swelling in his left ankle. He was sidelined for the Wild Card game and wasn't able to go in Game 1 of the ALDS. The Red Sox will be releasing their starting lineup in a few hours. Martinez would give the team a big boost in the heart of the lineup. He slashed .286/.349/.518 with 28 home runs, 99 RBI and 92 runs over 148 games this year.

Boston Red Sox outfielder and designated hitter J.D. Martinez(ankle) is on the team's 26-man roster for their American League Division Series matchup with the Tampa Bay Rays. Martinez wasn't on the roster for Boston's Wild-Card game win over the New York Yankees due to a left ankle sprain. The veteran hit .286 with a .349 on-base percentage and 28 home runs in 634 plate appearances during the regular season. He'll certainly provide a boost to the Red Sox lineup. In his career against the Rays, Martinez is batting .284 with a .346 on-base percentage and 12 home runs in 361 plate appearances.

Boston Red Sox designated hitter J.D. Martinez's left ankle sprain looks pretty bad and he may not be able to be on the team's roster for the American League Division Series against the Tampa Bay Rays, but he's expected to fight to be on the roster. The good news is that he doesn't have any structural damage in his ankle. The four-time All-Star hit .286/.349/.518 with a league-leading 42 doubles, 28 home runs, 99 RBI and 92 runs scored in 148 games this year, so the Red Sox would really like to have him available if they are to pull off a series win over the Rays in the ALDS. Kyle Schwarber led off and served as the DH in the wild-card win over the New York Yankees, with Bobby Dalbec getting the start at first base.

Boston Red Sox designated hitter J.D. Martinez (ankle) is not on the team's wild-card roster for the wild-card game against the division-rival New York Yankees on Tuesday. Martinez's MRI exam showed no structural damage, but the Red Sox don't feel comfortable throwing him out there in a must-win game. It's unclear if Martinez would be an option for the Divisional roster should the Red Sox advance. The 34-year-old slugger sprained his left ankle in the regular season finale against the Washington Nationals. With Martinez off the roster, Jarren Duran, Connor Wong and Jonathan Arauz make up the final position players for Boston.

Boston Red Sox designated hitter J.D. Martinez (ankle) exited Sunday's season finale against the Washington Nationals early after slipping on second base as he ran out to the outfield in the fifth inning. He finished the inning defensively before being replaced in the sixth. He had struck out and been hit by a pitch in his two plate appearances before the incident. It is unknown whether Martinez will be available for the Wild Card game. Fantasy managers should avoid him in DFS and playoff leagues for now.

Boston Red Sox designated hitter J.D. Martinez led the way offensively Wednesday, going 3-for-4 with a home run, a double, three RBI, and two runs scored in a 6-0 victory over the Baltimore Orioles. Martinez now has 28 home runs on the season, and he's closing out strong with a .302/.356/.566 slash line and three homers in his last 58 plate appearances over 15 games. With 90 runs and 99 RBI, he has proved that his down 2020 was just a blip, and he should once again be a top fantasy asset in 2022.

Boston Red Sox designated hitter J.D. Martinez reached base three times against the New York Yankees Friday, going 1-for-2 with two walks in an 8-3 loss to the division rivals. Martinez is slashing .304/.391/.554 with three homers over his last 15 games, and he's hit safely in seven of his last eight with three multi-hit performances and five extra-base hits in that time. Martinez is finishing strong in a bounce-back season and fantasy managers have enjoyed an .873 OPS with 27 homers, 88 runs, and 95 RBI.

Boston Red Sox designated hitter J.D. Martinez homered Sunday against the Baltimore Orioles, giving him 27 long balls on the year. The solo shot was his only hit in four at-bats in the 8-6 victory. Martinez now has a five-game hit streak, and he's reached base safely in every game since September 2. With a .269/.345/.577 slash line over his last seven games, fantasy managers can expect a strong finish for the slugger.

Boston Red Sox designated hitter J.D. Martinez hit his 26th homer of the year Tuesday night, going 2-for-5 with two RBI against the Seattle Mariners in an 8-4 victory. Despite the occasional stretch of looking lost at the plate, Martinez has produced an .867 OPS with 85 runs and 91 RBI on the year. He's been an excellent value for those fantasy managers who looked past his dismal 2020 campaign, and he should be a lineup mainstay this year and into next.

Boston Red Sox designated hitter J.D. Martinez (back) is expected to sit out Sunday's game against the Chicago White Sox after being scratched both Friday and Saturday with back spasms. Fantasy managers should keep an eye out for updates to see if he will be able to return early in the coming week, but he's day-to-day for now. Martinez has slashed .321/.406/.500 in his past seven games and should be an important player heading into the fantasy playoffs.

Boston Red Sox designated hitter J.D. Martinez (back tightness) has been removed from the team's starting lineup against the White Sox on Saturday. Martinez was a late scratch on Friday and is now a late scratch on Saturday, too. Travis Shaw will DH in his place and bat eighth opposite Chicago starter Dylan Cease. Martinez has displayed a huge bounce-back season this year, slashing .286/.349/.517 with 25 homers, 89 RBI, 50 walks, and 133 strikeouts. The Red Sox and fantasy managers both hope the 34-year-old slugger gets healthy and returns to the lineup soon.

Boston Red Sox outfielder J.D. Martinez (back) was scratched from Friday's lineup due to back spasms, according to Ian Browne of MLB.com. With Martinez out, Danny Santana got the start in left and is batting eighth in the lineup against the White Sox. Managers should consider Martinez day to day for now, and don't be too surprised if he doesn't play over the weekend. Keep an eye out for updates after the game tonight.

Boston Red Sox designated hitter J.D. Martinez added two hits in five at-bats against the Tampa Bay Rays Tuesday with a double, an RBI, and a run scored. Martinez has gone through some cold stretches in August, but he now has a four-game hit streak, with three of those being multi-hit affairs. Boston fans and fantasy managers will be looking to Martinez to carry them the rest of the way, and he'll try to build on his .286/.348/.522 slash line, 24 homers, 81 runs, and 84 RBI.