The Los Angeles Dodgers squandered multiple leads and suffered a 13-5 loss to the Los Angeles Angels in the Freeway Series finale, but J.D. Martinez was among those who closed out Spring Training on a positive note.
The veteran slugger had a team-high three hits, including a double in the sixth inning off Angels reliever Kenny Rosenberg. “I feel good,” Martinez said after the game.
“Every day is trying to just build. Trying to compound good days after good days. Trying to fine-tune the swing every day. At the beginning, tried to figure it out and find out. I kind of have a better idea of where I need to be and spots I got to get to in my swing, so I feel better.”
Martinez finished the spring batting .232/.283/.375 with two doubles, two home runs and seven RBI in 20 games. “Yeah,” Martinez answered when asked if he felt comfortable with the status of his swing heading into Opening Day after a slow start to Spring Training.
“You’re never ready for the season, it feels like. My body feels good, my swing feels good and competitive every time I go out there. I feel like I’m ready.”
Martinez, 35, is entering his 13th MLB season and first with the Dodgers. He has been able to settle in nicely with his new team due to his past connections and the overall vibe of the clubhouse.
“It’s been easy,” Martinez said of his transition to the Dodgers. “The guys are great, the front office has been awesome, the coaching staff is great. The players, a lot of familiar faces; Peralta, Mook, and getting to see Vargy in the offseason. It’s made the transition pretty easy.”
J.D. Martinez signed with Dodgers for chance to win World Series
Martinez took less money to sign with the Dodgers during the offseason for an opportunity to win a World Series.
“I didn’t want to be on a team that was going to be rebuilding, or be on a team that was going to see where we were going, we don’t know how we’re going to be or we think we’re going to be good,” he recently explained.
“I want to be on a team that’s going to be in the running for it and that’s going to be right there come October. That was my main thing. That was literally my main focus. When I talked to Andrew on the phone, I said, ‘I’m doing this because I believe in you guys and I believe in you and the team you put on the field every year.’”
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