Detroit Tigers Victor Martinez celebrates after scoring a single by Alex Avila in the first inning of Game 1 of the American League division series against the Oakland Athletics in Oakland, Calif., Friday, Oct. 4, 2013.Ben Margot/The Associated Press
Victor Martinez needs surgery on his left knee after the Detroit slugger injured it during his off-season workout program for the second time in four years.
The team said Thursday that Martinez tore the medial meniscus in his knee and is scheduled for surgery Tuesday with Dr. James Andrews in Pensacola, Fla. The Tigers say an additional update will be provided then.
Detroit has not announced a timetable for Martinez's return. The designated hitter, a five-time All-Star, missed the 2012 season injuring the same knee.
Martinez hit .335 with 32 home runs and 103 RBIs in 2014, and the Tigers signed him to a $68 million, four-year contract. He figured to be a major part of Detroit's drive to win a fifth consecutive AL Central title, but now the Tigers may face a difficult task if the 36-year-old misses significant time.
General manager Dave Dombrowski said the injury hasn't altered Detroit's approach to the off-season — not yet, at least.
"There are no changes in our plans at this time," Dombrowski said in an email. "We will evaluate that after his surgery."
When Martinez was injured in 2012, the Tigers responded by signing Prince Fielder to a $214 million, nine-year contract that Jan. 26. This injury occurred even later in the off-season, and there aren't any major power-hitting options left on the free-agent market.
Martinez tore his anterior cruciate ligament before the 2012 season, and he also had surgery to repair the medial and lateral meniscus. Dr. Richard Steadman operated then.
Even if this injury turns out to be less severe, it's still a jolt to a team whose spot atop the division is looking increasingly precarious. Max Scherzer, the 2013 AL Cy Young Award winner, left as a free agent to sign with Washington, and slugger Miguel Cabrera is coming off right ankle surgery.
Detroit made one big trade this off-season in an attempt to add more power, dealing right-hander Rick Porcello to Boston for Yoenis Cespedes. The Tigers also are hoping for another strong season from outfielder J.D. Martinez, who hit 23 homers in 123 games last year.
But it was the Cabrera-Victor Martinez combination that Detroit could count on for star-level production on a consistent basis, and with spring training only a couple weeks away, it's not clear when either of them will be at full strength.