JOSÉ MARTÍNEZ NEWS

Enjoying solid August Martinez, who went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run in the first game of a doubleheader against the Yankees on Saturday, is hitting .294 (5-for-17) with a double, Saturday's homer,...

Impact The veteran has been consistently on base thus far, hitting safely in four of those contests and producing one multi-hit effort. Martinez has appeared as the designated hitter in all eight games he's played thus far, although he did take reps at first base in both spring training and summer camp and could therefore be utilized there on occasion as well. However, prior seasons have shown Martinez's strong suit is definitely the bat, as his defense was often a liability in St. Louis.

AUGUST 9, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Semien hits leadoff HR, A's beat Astros to win 8th straight

AUGUST 8, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Another multi-hit effort Martinez went 2-for-4 with an RBI single and a run in a win over the Braves on Tuesday.

Impact Martinez, often referred to during his days as a Cardinal as simply a "professional hitter" for his natural ability in the batter's box, continues to live up to that term in the early going of the 2020 season. The 32-year-old has quickly discarded any rust brought about by his delayed July 17 arrival at summer camp, now having put together back-to-back two-hit efforts and pushing his average to .313 with Tuesday's production.

JULY 29, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Tsutsugo gets key hit as Rays beat Braves 5-2

Yoshi Tsutsugo had a two-run single during a five-run third inning and the Tampa Bay Rays won their fourth consecutive game, 5-2 over the Atlanta Braves on Tuesday night

JULY 29, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Renfroe homers twice, Rays fan 19 Braves in 14-5 romp

Hunter Renfroe homered twice and Tampa Bay pitchers set a team nine-inning record with 19 strikeouts in the Rays’ 14-5 romp over the Atlanta Braves

JULY 28, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

On track for Opening Day Manager Kevin Cash said Wednesday that Martinez is expected to be available for the start of the season, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Impact The veteran slugger reported to camp less than a week ago, but he wasted little time and was starting intrasquad games within two days of his arrival. Martinez is unlikely to step into a regular starting role during his first year with the Rays, but his career .976 OPS against left-handers should warrant some opportunities.

JULY 22, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Gets solid work in Sunday Martinez completed defensive drills before playing first base and logging four at-bats in an intrasquad game Sunday, RaysRadio.com reports.

Impact The veteran has unsurprisingly been put right to work since his delayed arrival in camp Friday, and Sunday was his busiest day yet. Martinez took three of his at-bats against right-handed pitchers but also particularly hit the ball hard versus southpaw Aaron Loup, and his performance caught the eye of manager Kevin Cash, who will likely be closer to a decision on Martinez's Opening Day status after Wednesday's camp session. "Really wanted to prioritize getting him at-bats," said Cash. "It was for him to get out there and get at least three innings on his feet and on defense, get a little bit of the feel, the flow of the game and we'll continue to build."

JULY 19, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Starting intrasquad game Martinez is starting at first base in Sunday's intrasquad game, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Impact The 31-year-old didn't report to camp until Friday, but manager Kevin Cash indicated he could be available for Opening Day, and his presence in Sunday's intrasquad action reinforces that possibility. Martinez appears to be trending in the right direction, and he seems likely to be ready for the start of the season, assuming everything goes well this week.

JULY 19, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Fighting chance for Opening Day Martinez, who arrived in summer camp Friday after quarantining due to a positive COVID-19 test, still has a chance to be in the Opening Day lineup despite his delayed start, Juan T...

Impact The offseason acquisition was limited to riding a stationary bike Saturday, and he's slated to continue working on his conditioning Sunday. However, Martinez is also scheduled to participate in defensive drills with third-base coach Rodney Linares and even take some at-bats against live pitching. Working in Martinez's favor in his race against the clock is the fact he had a strong spring training and also was attending informal workouts at Tropicana Field before summer camp began, meaning he may have just enough time to get his timing sufficiently down before Opening Day.

JULY 18, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

AL East Preview Capsules

JULY 17, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS