J.D. Martinez is back in the Los Angeles Dodgers lineup as they look to extend their winning streak to four games and continue what’s been another dominant showing against the San Diego Padres.
Martinez pinch-hit on Friday night but hasn’t truly played a game since July 29. Martinez was in the lineup the following afternoon but didn’t take an at-bat as his left groin/adductor trouble flared up for the second time in a week.
Martinez hasn’t been able to determine what causes the discomfort, which renders him unable to walk or swing a bat, but Dodgers manager Dave Roberts believes it stems from a long history of back injuries.
The veteran designated hitter nevertheless has managed to avoid the 10-day injured list both times the lower body injury surfaced. Martinez missed time from late April into May because of lower back tightness.
While the Dodgers get Martinez in their lineup, Max Muncy remains limited to pinch-running duties as he recovers from a left wrist contusion.
Michael Grove starts despite Roberts saying earlier in the week his next appearance for the team would be out of the bullpen. Grove is 2-3 with a 6.75 ERA and 1.58 WHIP in 14 games (11 starts) this season.
He’s expected to be followed at some point by Ryan Yarbrough for his Dodgers debut.
The Padres counter with Blake Snell, who is 8-8 with a 2.50 ERA and 1.29 WHIP across 22 starts. Two of those outings were consecutive starts against the Dodgers in May. Snell completed six innings in both games and allowed two runs each time.
The Dodgers are 6-1 against the Padres this year, with all six of their victories in the season series thus far coming after a loss on May 5. Last year the Dodgers went 14-5 in head-to-head matchups against the Padres, who exacted revenge in the National League Division Series.
Dodgers lineup
RF: Mookie Betts
1B: Freddie Freeman
C: Will Smith
DH: J.D. Martinez
2B: Amed Rosario
3B: Chris Taylor
CF: James Outman
LF: Kiké Hernández
SS: Miguel Rojas
Padres lineup
2B: Ha-Seong Kim
RF: Fernando Tatis Jr.
LF: Juan Soto
3B: Manny Machado
SS: Xander Bogaerts
1B: Jake Cronenworth
DH: Ji Man Choi
C: Gary Sánchez
CF: Trent Grisham
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