Dodgers Roster Update: Russell Martin Resumes Baseball Activities
The Dodgers may be one step closer to getting one of their top catchers back. Dave Roberts told reporters that Russell Martin has resumed baseball activities en route to a return from a sore back that put him on the injured list.
#Dodgers Russell Martin has begun baseball-specific activities — caught on flat ground, threw, did footwork, hit off a tee. Dave Roberts is optimistic Martin could be activated "at some point" during the next homestand. Rehab assignment likely
— Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) April 19, 2019
Martin went on the injured list for a sore back after it flared up early in the year. He also sat out a few games during Spring Training when the same issue popped up taking reps in the cages. The Dodgers have been utilizing a tandem of Austin Barnes and Rocky Gale to fill out his time behind the dish.
Unfortunately, Barnes has been getting the lion’s share of the reps, and it has shown. Barnes is 2 for 25 since Martin hit the Injured List after a game in St Louis on April 8th. Rocky Gale has done an acceptable job behind the plate, but he essentially provides no offense at all. He has one hit in his eight at-bats since Martin went down.
Rus was seeing the ball well before his back flared up, with 5 hits in 15 at-bats. He had a homerun and a double to put his slash line at .333/.500/.600 on the year. When he returns, the Dodgers will likely go back to utilizing him every couple of days. Austin Barnes will still get the bulk of reps at catcher.
Martin said he thinks he will change his setup from the angled crouch with one foot closer to the plate (quicker footwork for throwing) to a straight-on setup. Thinks it will put less pressure on his lower back and pelvis. Barnes sets up that way too so same visual for pitchers.
— Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) April 19, 2019
Martin also apparently has a plan to ensure that his back will not act up again, changing his approach when crouching to catch.
Thank you Brook Smith for mentioning since Martin has been on IL(injured-list), Barnes has been catcher majority of games, his hitting has fallen off the cliff i.e. has become an automatic-out! Rocky Gale was brought-up from AAA, but has Not provided any offensive help. Dodgers bring-up one of the kids, Will Smith or Keibert Ruiz, personally I would go with Smith(see if he can handle major league pitching).
Somebody please put out an abd for “Automatic-outs” Barnes, Taylor and Turner.
Robin, I would give Justin the benefit of the doubt. He can turn it around. The other two, I agree completely. On Saturday the last three batters were Taylor, Barnes and Ryu. Russell can not carry a heavy load at this stage. Apparently we are not going to see either Ruiz or Smith.