Victor Martinez is skipping the All-Star Game because of a side and back injury--allowing teammate Ian Kinsler to join the team in his place--but the Tigers designated hitter is aiming to rejoin the lineup Friday when Detroit begins the second half versus Cleveland.
Martinez has been out since July 4 and hasn’t gone on a minor-league rehab assignment, but told Jason Beck of MLB.com that “there’s like a 95 percent [chance] that I’m going to be able to play when I get back on Friday.”
Before the injury Martinez had an MVP-caliber first half at the plate, hitting .328 with 21 homers, 19 doubles, and a career-high .991 OPS in 80 games while walking (33) more than he struck out (23).
