SAN DIEGO — Right-hander Justin Martinez could face hitters as soon as next week, manager Torey Lovullo said, as his fireballing reliever continues to trend toward a return from the injured list next month.
Martinez, working his way back from Tommy John surgery, has thrown at least a dozen bullpen sessions, Lovullo said, and could face hitters in live batting practice for the first time early next week. After that, Martinez is scheduled to undergo a round of imaging, at which point he could be close to beginning a minor-league rehab ****** ignment.
“It depends on how the lives go,” Lovullo said. “I think there’s going to be a series of lives — how many, I’m not sure. But his return is sometime in August. It’s imminent. He’s charging very hard.”
Lovullo said Martinez continues to hit the upper-90s with his fastball in his side sessions.
Martinez was expected to be the third of three pitchers to return from the injured list following elbow surgery this year, but both right-hander Corbin Burnes and lefty A.J. Puk have hit road ****** ps in their rehabs.
Martinez, working his way back from Tommy John surgery, has thrown at least a dozen bullpen sessions, Lovullo said, and could face hitters in live batting practice for the first time early next week. After that, Martinez is scheduled to undergo a round of imaging, at which point he could be close to beginning a minor-league rehab ****** ignment.
“It depends on how the lives go,” Lovullo said. “I think there’s going to be a series of lives — how many, I’m not sure. But his return is sometime in August. It’s imminent. He’s charging very hard.”
Lovullo said Martinez continues to hit the upper-90s with his fastball in his side sessions.
Martinez was expected to be the third of three pitchers to return from the injured list following elbow surgery this year, but both right-hander Corbin Burnes and lefty A.J. Puk have hit road ****** ps in their rehabs.
4 months ago
