J.D. Martinez Scratched From Red Sox Lineup With Back Tightness

The Boston Red Sox aren’t taking any chances when it comes to J.D. Martinez.

The Red Sox slugger was scratched from the lineup Wednesday with back tightness, according to reporters in Fort Myers, Fla. Martinez was in Boston’s original lineup, hitting fourth and playing left field for the Red Sox’s spring training game against the Minnesota Twins.

It doesn’t sound like too much of an issue, especially this early in the year when there’s really no point in pushing a player. Martinez enjoyed a relatively healthy debut season in Boston, playing in 150 games for the World Series champions and easing any concerns about nagging injuries that kept him out of 85 games over the course of his 2016 and 2017 seasons. He also played through an ankle injury in the playoffs.

Martinez has appeared in six games this spring for the Red Sox and has scuffled so far, going just 1-for-16 with four strikeouts. Bryce Brentz will replace Martinez in Wednesday’s lineup.