By Anthony Caruso III | Publisher
On Thursday, it was thought that J.D. Martinez may not play in Friday’s Game 3 of the World Series. However, the team announced one day later he will play against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Martinez, who was injured running the bases in Game 2 of the series at Fenway Park in Boston, Mass., will start in left field. The slugger will also bag cleanup in the game.
He aggravated his sore right ankle while running the bases. Yet, while he was re-injured, he stayed in the contest.
Martinez will start in the outfield in Friday’s game with Mookie Betts and Jackie Bradley Jr. It was thought that with the series moving to the National League that he may not play until a late-inning pitch-hitting opportunity.
With Martinez starting at least for this game, the Red Sox will have Andrew Benintendi available off of the bench. Manager Alex Cora could call on Benintendi during a late-game opportunity.
The 31-year-old Martinez signed with the Red Sox in the off-season. He had 43 home runs and 130 RBIs in his first campaign with the franchise.