Blue Jays' Orelvis Martinez: Suspended 80 games for PED use
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Major League Baseball announced Sunday that Martinez has been suspended for 80 games for violating the league's drug prevention and treatment program, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.
Two days after making his major-league debut against the Guardians, Martinez was dealt the 80-game ban for testing positive for clomiphene, a fertility drug on the league's banned substance list. In a statement following Martinez's suspension, Toronto general manager Ross Atkins fully supported the league's suspension of the 22-year-old prospect and said that the Blue Jays "will do everything in our power to ensure [Martinez] has learned from this mistake," per Davidi. The suspension will keep Martinez out of action until the tail end of the season, with a possible return date of Sept. 23 lining up with the start of the Blue Jays' penultimate series of the season against the Red Sox.
Blue Jays' Orelvis Martinez: Picks up first big-league hit
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Martinez went 1-for-3 in Friday's loss to the Guardians.
Getting his first career MLB start while batting eighth as the second baseman, Martinez poked a single up the middle to lead off the sixth inning for his first career hit, but the rest the Toronto offense failed to bring him around to score. The 22-year-old also committed his first career error, and defense remains the biggest obstacle between him and a regular spot in the lineup. Martinez seems likely to head back to Triple-A Buffalo once Bo Bichette (calf) gets healthy, but if the Blue Jays become sellers at the trade deadline, a permanent spot could open up in the majors for the top prospect.
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Blue Jays' Orelvis Martinez: Making first start Friday
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Martinez will start at second base and bat eighth in Friday's game versus the Guardians.
It will be the first major-league start for Martinez, who was on the bench for two straight contests following his promotion. The 22-year-old is one of the better power-hitting prospects in baseball, but he does struggle to make contact and isn't regarded as a great defender. Getting him playing time does not appear to be a priority for the Blue Jays during this stint, but he will have a chance to show what he can do Friday.
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Blue Jays' Orelvis Martinez: Absent from lineup again
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Martinez is not in the lineup for Wednesday's contest against the Red Sox.
Martinez didn't play Tuesday in his first game after receiving a promotion and he will begin Wednesday's tilt on the bench, as well. It's not a good sign for the youngster's playing time outlook during his first stint in the big leagues. The Blue Jays have Spencer Horwitz at second base, Addison Barger at third base and Isiah Kiner-Falefa at shortstop Wednesday.
Blue Jays' Orelvis Martinez: Called up to big leagues
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The Blue Jays recalled Martinez from Triple-A Buffalo on Tuesday.
Martinez is taking the roster spot vacated by Bo Bichette (calf), who has landed on the 10-day injured list. It's the first major-league promotion for Martinez, who has slashed .260/.343/.523 with 16 home runs over 63 games this season with Buffalo. The 22-year-old can play second base, third base and shortstop, although he hasn't seen any time at the latter position this season. Martinez should see some action at second and/or third base while Bichette is out, with Isiah Kiner-Falefa likely to settle in at shortstop.
Blue Jays' Orelvis Martinez: Returns to action at Triple-A
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Martinez (knee) has started in both of Triple-A Buffalo's last two games Sunday and Tuesday, going 1-for-7 with a home run and two walks between those contests.
Martinez was lifted in Friday's 12-7 win over Worcester when he was hit in the right knee by a pitch in the eighth inning, but after getting Saturday off, the 22-year-old looks to be healthy again. He's posted a .909 OPS through 154 plate appearances with Buffalo this season and should have a chance at making his MLB debut later on in 2024.
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Blue Jays' Orelvis Martinez: Exits after HBP
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Martinez left Friday's game with Triple-A Buffalo in the eighth inning after being hit on the right knee by a pitch, Julia Kreuz of MLB.com reports.
The 22-year-old tried to take first base but was showing pain in his first couple steps, so he was removed as a precaution. The injury doesn't appear to be serious, but Martinez could be held out for the rest of the weekend series against Worcester if the Blue Jays want to make sure their top hitting prospect is 100 percent before he gets back in the lineup. Martinez is slashing .276/.359/.551 through 34 games for Buffalo with nine homers and a 13:31 BB:K.
