New Tigers manager Brad Ausmus has a plan for his team's trek through National League parks this season. A plan that Victor Matinez is apparently "excited about." Ausmus contacted the former catcher this offseason and asked him to report to camp early with his catching gear in hand, as Tom Gage of the Detroit News reports.
Tigers’ manager Brad Ausmus wants Victor Martinez to catch again
Martinez is “thrilled” to be back in his old catching gear.
US PRESSWIRE
Martinez began his career behind the plate in the Indians organization in 2002. However, since joining the Tigers as a free agent in 2010, he's only seen 241 innings at his old position.
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Detroit has used Martinez as their regular designated hitter over the last two years, but the 35-year-old is just a few seasons removed from starting over 100 games as a catcher for the Red Sox in 2010.
He's no Yadier Molina back there, but his ability to fill in as a backstop in National League parks gives Ausmus some flexibility as he plans out his lineup cards. Keeping Martinez' bat in the lineup could be beneficial for the Tigers, because although Alex Avila is the more talented defender, he failed to post an OPS over 700 last season. Martinez hit .301/.355/.430 in 668 plate appearances.
The concern about Martinez returning to catching duties is centered around the knee injury (torn ACL) that caused him to miss the entire 2012 season. However, the 11-year veteran appears to fully recovered, and Ausmus seems to be considering a somewhat limited defensive role for Martinez at this point.
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