Free-agent veteran designated hitter J.D. Martinez is hitting and staying ready while waiting or an opportunity to sign with a major-league team, according to the New York Post's Jon Heyman. It was reported in early March that Martinez was in contact with the New York Yankees with DH Giancarlo Stanton (elbows) injured, but the two sides were never really close to a deal. MLB teams probably want the 37-year-old Martinez to play for the veteran minimum after he declined offensively with the New York Mets in 2024, hitting .235/.320/.406 with a .725 OPS, 16 home runs and 69 RBI in 120 regular-season games. Martinez is a six-time All-Star, though, and clubbed 33 homers and drove in over 100 runs with the Los Angeles Dodgers as recently as 2023, so it seems likely he'll be given a shot eventually in 2025.

The New York Yankees have reached out to veteran free-agent designated hitter J.D. Martinez, but the sides don't seem close on a deal and they are unlikely to reach an agreement, according to the New York Post's Jon Heyman. The Yankees are looking for a veteran bat with outfielder/designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton (elbow) set to open the year on the injured list with no timetable for a return as he deals with tennis elbow in both of his arms. While it doesn't look likely that Martinez will sign with the Yankees right now, that could change if Stanton is forced to miss even more time. Martinez is 37 years old and is no longer the hitter he once was after slashing only .235/.320/.406 with a .725 OPS in 120 regular-season games with the New York Mets in 2024. However, the six-time All-Star still has some pop in his bat and could be a short-term solution for the DH spot in the Bronx.

According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, free-agent designated hitter J.D. Martinez could be a potential fit for the New York Yankees. With Giancarlo Stanton (elbow) sidelined and not participating in any baseball activities, they could sign Martinez as their temporary designated hitter. Martinez has been deployed exclusively as a DH for the past three seasons, which is not expected to change if he goes to the Bronx. Last season, the 37-year-old spent the entire campaign with the New York Mets, where he held a .235/.320/.406 slash line with 16 long balls. However, under the hood, he generated a strong .472 xSLG and a .351 xwOBA, which are both well above the average marks. During the 2023 season, he held a strong .271/.321/.572 line. If he were to sign with the Yankees, he would be the everyday designated hitter until Stanton returns. If the Yankees opt to cover that spot with players on their roster, Aaron Judge would likely be given several opportunities to serve as the DH to keep him off his feet. This would also open the door for Ben Rice to see consistent playing time as well.

New York Mets outfielder Harrison Bader and designated hitter J.D. Martinez are both starting against the Los Angeles Dodgers and right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto in Game 4 of the National League Championship Series on Thursday at Citi Field. Tyrone Taylor and Jesse Winker will retreat to the bench. Taylor has struggled in the postseason, going 4-for-29 with an RBI, so the Mets will give Bader a shot. Bader is a perfect 3-for-3 with a double and an RBI this year against Yamamoto, although he has just one hit in seven at-bats with a strikeout and three runs scored in 10 games (one start) for the Mets in October. Martinez made his first start of the NLCS on Wednesday night and went 0-for-2 with two walks and two strikeouts. He has never faced Yamamoto and has gone 4-for-16 (.250) with three RBI, four walks and a run scored in seven games (four starts) this October.

New York Mets designated hitter J.D. Martinez will take over DH duties and will hit sixth in Game 3 of the National League Championship Series on Wednesday versus the Los Angeles Dodgers and right-hander Walker Buehler at Citi Field. The left-handed-hitting Jesse Winker got the nod at DH for the Mets in the first two games of the series and went 2-for-6 with two walks and a run scored. In six postseason games this year (three starts), Martinez has gone 4-for-14 with three RBI, two walks and a run scored. Martinez has only faced Buehler three times in his career and has struck out two of those times. The 37-year-old six-time All-Star hit a career-low .235 (102-for-434) in 120 games for the Mets during the regular season with a modest 16 home runs and 69 RBI.

New York Mets designated hitter J.D. Martinez is likely to be in the starting lineup for Game 3 of the National League Championship Series on Wednesday at Citi Field against the Los Angeles Dodgers and right-hander Walker Buehler, according to manager Carlos Mendoza. In the first two games of the NLCS, the left-handed-hitting Jesse Winker has gotten the nod for the Mets at DH, but Martinez will make his first start of the series on Wednesday after going 4-for-14 (.286) with three RBI, two walks and a run scored in six games (three starts) in this year's postseason. The 37-year-old has faced Buehler just three times before in his career and has struck out twice. The six-time All-Star hit just .235 (102-for-434) in 120 games for the Mets during the regular season but did provide 16 homers and 69 RBI.

New York Mets outfielder Jesse Winker is not in the starting nine as the Mets look to go up two games in the NLDS on Sunday afternoon. Winker got the nod in the opening game but went 0-for-1 with two walks. Instead, J.D. Martinez will start at DH and bat in the six-hole. Winker is likely sitting because the Phillies are sending out left-hand Cristopher Sanchez, as Winker typically sits against southpaws during the final months of the season. DFS players should expect Winker to return to the starting nine for Game 3 when the Phillies send out Aaron Nola. Martinez is worth a look in DFS this afternoon, as he tallied two hits and three RBI during the Wild Card Series.

New York Mets designated hitter J.D. Martinez is serving as the designated hitter and is batting sixth for the Mets for Game 2 of the wild-card series on Wednesday at American Family Field against the Milwaukee Brewers and right-hander Frankie Montas. The left-handed-hitting Jesse Winker made the start in the Game 1 win on Tuesday at DH for New York. Even though Martinez didn't start in Game 1, he entered as a pinch-hitter later in the game and drove in two with a single in the 8-4 win. The Mets will be hoping that Martinez can turn the page in the playoffs after wrapping up his 14th big league season in October in a rut. The 37-year-old veteran right-handed slugger finished off September with a .109 average (6-for-55) with two doubles, four RBI, seven walks and 15 strikeouts in 16 games played over 63 plate appearances.

New York Mets designated hitter J.D. Martinez and outfielder Starling Marte will both start on the bench on Friday for the contest against the division-rival Philadelphia Phillies and right-hander Aaron Nola at Citizens Bank Park. Outfielder Jesse Winker will serve as the DH for the Mets and hit fifth, while Tyrone Taylor makes the start in right field and hits seventh against Nola. It's a tough matchup for the entire Mets batting order. Winker is hitting just .182 with a home run and two RBI in 22 career at-bats versus Nola, while Taylor has hit .375 with an RBI, albeit in just eight at-bats in his career against Nola. Martinez could use a day off, as the 37-year-old has struggled so far in September, going 3-for-21 (.143) with four RBI. Marte has also struggled since coming off the injured list back on Aug. 18, going 12-for-56 (.214) with three doubles and four RBI.

The New York Mets reinstated designated hitter J.D. Martinez from the paternity list on Thursday and optioned outfielder DJ Stewart in a corresponding move. The Mets also claimed outfielder Jose Azocar off waivers from the San Diego Padres and assigned him to Triple-A Syracuse while moving pitcher Sean Reid-Foley (shoulder) to the 60-day injured list. The Mets don't play on Thursday, so Martinez won't be able to return to the starting lineup until Friday's series opener at Citi Field against the visiting Cincinnati Reds. The 37-year-old veteran was hitless in his last two games before going on paternity leave, but he's gone 8-for-26 (.308) with two homers, a double and four RBI in his previous seven games dating back to Aug. 25, so the Mets will be hoping he can pick up where he left off as the team continues their push for the final wild-card spot in the National League.

The New York Mets placed designated hitter J.D. Martinez on the paternity list on Monday and recalled outfielder DJ Stewart from Triple-A Syracuse in a corresponding move. Martinez is likely to miss the entire series this week at Citi Field against the visiting Boston Red Sox as Martinez welcomes a new addition to his family. Outfielder Jesse Winker will serve as the DH on Monday and bat cleanup, while Stewart mans left field and hits in the eight-hole against Red Sox right-hander Brayan Bello. Martinez has provided moderate power for fantasy managers this year and has hit .308 (8-for-26) with two homers, a double and four RBI for the Mets in his last seven games dating back to Aug. 25. The 30-year-old Stewart should get some more starts this week if the team is facing right-handed pitching. He's hit just .172 (26-for-151) in 2024 with five homers and 19 RBI.

New York Mets designated hitter J.D. Martinez (elbow) is back at the DH spot and is hitting third for the Mets on Wednesday at Citi Field against the visiting Oakland Athletics and right-hander Joey Estes. Martinez was hit by a 100 mph fastball from A's starter Joe Boyle on his left elbow Tuesday and was forced from the game early, but he avoided a serious injury and is back in the lineup a day later. The 36-year-old got a late start to the season after signing late, but he's still provided 12 home runs and 53 RBI in 319 at-bats in his first year in the Big Apple. However, he's showing signs of fatigue in the second half, batting .237 (18-for-76) with only two home runs, four doubles, 15 RBI, 11 walks and 27 strikeouts in 22 games since the All-Star break. Martinez has homered just once since the start of August.

The New York Mets have announced that designated hitter J.D. Martinez (elbow) exited with a left elbow contusion in Tuesday night's series opener against the visiting Oakland Athletics at Citi Field. In Martinez's first at-bat of the game, Athletics right-hander Joe Boyle plunked him on the elbow with a 100-mph fastball. Mark Vientos (ankle), who had been day-to-day entering the day, replaced Martinez in the third inning. Martinez was able to stay in the contest to run the bases in the second inning, so his departure certainly feels like a precautionary measure. Consider him day-to-day ahead of Wednesday's tilt against Oakland. The 36-year-old veteran slugger has been slumping lately for the Mets, batting .212 (18-for-85) with two home runs, 15 RBI, and six runs scored in his last 24 games since July 12. Tyrone Taylor is a candidate to join New York's starting nine if Martinez ends up sitting out a day or two.

New York Mets outfielder J.D. Martinez is out of the starting lineup ahead of Wednesday's game against the Colorado Rockies. This appears to be a regular rest day for the 36-year-old slugger. In his absence, Jesse Winker will bat third and serve as the designated hitter versus right-hander Ryan Feltner. This is a favorable spot for Winker in a hitter-friendly park against a struggling pitcher. Fantasy managers in need of a streaming option should consider Winker for Wednesday's game.

New York Mets designated hitter J.D. Martinez went 2-for-4 with a go-ahead grand slam in the top of the seventh inning in Saturday's 5-4 loss to the Angels. The Mets' lead was brief, as Zach Neto hit a subsequent three-run homer in the bottom of the inning that gave the Angels the lead for good. Martinez is having a solid year for the Mets, slashing .268/.349/.454 with 12 home runs and 52 RBI despite missing most of the first month of the season. Since July 22, the 36-year-old has gone 13-for-41 (.317) with 12 RBI and two home runs -- both of which were grand slams.

New York Mets designated hitter J.D. Martinez broke out of his funk in Friday night's win over the visiting division-rival Atlanta Braves at Citi Field, picking up three hits and launching a grand slam in the victory. As part of a three-homer, seven-run inning for New York on Friday, Martinez hit a grand slam off Braves right-hander Charlie Morton to right field to give the Mets a 4-2 lead in the third inning. This performance was a much-needed jolt for the 36-year-old veteran slugger, who came into the day batting a frigid .184 (14-for-76) with a lone homer and six RBI in his last 21 games. Over his last seven contests, Martinez has looked better while hitting 9-for-29 (.310). With a .502 expected slugging percentage on Baseball Savant, Martinez remains a buy-low candidate for fantasy managers in need of power numbers.

New York Mets designated hitter J.D. Martinez is not in Sunday's lineup as the Mets look to complete a three-game sweep against the Colorado Rockies. Martinez has been in the starting nine over the past five games but will cede DH duties to first baseman Pete Alonso on Sunday afternoon. This allows Mark Vientos to shift over to first base. Martinez has been in a bit of a slump since the start of July, with a disappointing .194/.326/.333 line with only one home run and four RBI. The 36-year-old should continue to serve as the primary designated hitter in Queens in the second half of the season. The entire Mets lineup is worth considering in DFS this afternoon as they will face Colorado right-hander German Marquez, who will be making his 2024 season debut.

New York Mets designated hitter J.D. Martinez will get the day off on Monday against the visiting Pittsburgh Pirates in the series finale. With Martinez starting on the pine, catcher Francisco Alvarez will serve as the DH for the Mets and will bat third, while Luis Torrens will do the catching and hit sixth in the order against Pirates right-hander Mitch Keller. Martinez has been great for the Mets in 2024 since joining them a little late after the start of the season. However, he could use a day off after going hitless in his last 13 plate appearances with two walks and four strikeouts in his last three games. Still, the 36-year-old right-handed slugger has been a solid contributor for the Mets and fantasy managers in 224 at-bats this year, slashing .263/.348/.469 with an .817 OPS, 10 home runs and 37 RBI.

New York Mets designated hitter J.D. Martinez (ankle) is back in the starting lineup on Wednesday against the division-rival Washington Nationals and left-hander Mitchell Parker, serving as the DH and batting third in the order. Martinez missed Tuesday's game due to a sore ankle that was caused by trying new cleats. He said he got three pairs of the correct cleats on Wednesday, which should get him to the All-Star break. The 36-year-old right-handed power hitter should be returned to staring lineups after being scratched on Tuesday. Martinez signed with the Mets late and needed to get his timing down in the minors before making his debut, but he's hit the ground running since joining the Mets and is batting a strong .278/.360/.493 with an .853 OPS, 10 homers and 37 RBI in 209 at-bats.

New York Mets designated hitter J.D. Martinez (ankle) has been scratched from the starting lineup ahead of Tuesday's game against the Washington Nationals. The veteran slugger is being pulled out of the lineup due to left-ankle soreness. Fantasy managers don't need to panic, as this sounds like a minor issue. For now, Martinez should be considered as day-to-day until further notice. Luis Torrens will serve as the designated hitter and bat sixth versus Nationals rookie left-hander DJ Herz.