FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Former Nova Southeastern baseball player J.D. Martinez's contract has been purchased by the Detroit Tigers from the Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens Monday afternoon. He is expected to join the Tigers before the opener of their four-game series against the Chicago White Sox, which begins Monday.
"JD is certainly deserving of another opportunity to play in the big leagues, this time with the great organization of the Detroit Tigers," said Director of Athletics and former head coach of Martinez at NSU
Michael Mominey. "He has worked especially hard this off season and I am very happy that he will continue to represent himself and Nova Southeastern University at the highest level of his sport."
Martinez had a stellar start to the Triple-A season with the Mud Hens, batting .308 with 16 runs, three doubles, one triple, 10 home runs and 22 RBI in 17 games with Toledo. Martinez had an International League leading 14 extra base hits, 55 total bases and a .846 slugging percentage. Martinez was also selected as the International League Player of the Week last week. This past weekend in Saturday's doubleheader, the 26 year old hit four home runs, tallied seven RBI, in a 4-for-6 performance at the plate.
Martinez has 975 MLB plate appearances under his belt as a member of the Houston Astros.
As a part of that transaction, the Tigers sent RHP Luke Putkonen to the 15-day disabled list with right elbow inflammation.
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