At some point there was a little bit of optimism about Victor Martinez potentially returning from knee surgery to play this season, but two weeks ago the Tigers said that was unlikely and today they officially ruled it out.
Team trainer Kevin Rand told Jason Beck of MLB.com that Martinez has run out of time in his rehab and will now focus on being 100 percent healthy for spring training.
Martinez underwent microfracture surgery in January, but has yet to be cleared for full-speed running. He was paid $12 million this season without taking an at-bat and is owed another $13 million in 2013 and $12 million in 2014.
He had been slated to be the Tigers’ full-time designated hitter, but in Martinez’s absence the team’s DHs have combined to hit just .256 with 11 homers and a .674 OPS that ranks 12th in the AL.
