Boston Red Sox outfielder/designated hitter J.D. Martinez was removed from the COVID-19 injured list on Sunday, less than a day after being placed on it.
According to Boston.com, Martinez originally was on the list as a precaution because he showed symptoms of a cold. A player doesn’t have to test positive to be on the COVID list; however, Martinez needed a negative test result twice for the virus in order to be taken off the list.
To make room for Martinez on the roster, the Red Sox on Sunday optioned infielder Michael Chavis to the team’s alternate training site.
When the Martinez move was made Saturday, manager Alex Cora said he didn’t think Martinez would be on the list long. He was right.
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Martinez returned to the lineup against the Baltimore Orioles on Sunday, batting in the No. 3 spot as the designated hitter. He hit three solo homers in Boston’s 14-9 win over the host Orioles to raise his season total to five. Martinez’s blasts came in the third, sixth and eighth innings.
Martinez finished with four hits and four RBIs to increase his season totals to 17 and 16, respectively. He is batting .472.
–Field Level Media