FORT MYERS, Fla. -- J.D. Martinez and the Red Sox are indeed sorting through a medical matter, but one that a baseball source with knowledge of the situation said would not have any effect on Martinez in the immediate future. It's unclear what the specific issue is, but a better understanding between the parties could come as early as Saturday.
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"I imagine that today is a day that we could have some definition," the source said.
Martinez can opt out over two years, in which he would make as much as $50 million, per the originally agreed upon deal. Naturally, a priority for the Red Sox is to be sure that any potentially latent issue would remain just that, latent, for not only two years but the potential five years of the deal.
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Additional medical experts have been involved as the Red Sox and Martinez sort out the issue, including experts consulted on agent Scott Boras' referral, not only the team's. The process was described as thorough and cooperative.