Wednesday, Feb. 20 7:14pm ET
Braves lose IF-OF Martinez to patella tendinitis
KISSIMMEE Florida (Ticker) -- Dave Martinez, a key veteran bench
player for the Atlanta Braves, Wednesday revealed that he will
undergo right knee surgery on March 1 that could end his season.
The 37-year-old Martinez, who could have seen time with Atlanta
at first base or either corner outfield position, was diagnosed
with chronic patella tendinitis in the knee late last season. He
had hoped that rest would remedy the situation but he was still
bothered by swelling and soreness and operated for surgery.
Dr. Koco Eaton will perform the surgery, which is similar to the
one that forced St. Louis slugger Mark McGwire to retire.
"An MRI can only show so much," Martinez said. "Once they get in
there, they will know the severity of the injury and how long
I'll be out."
Martinez hit .287 in 120 games last season but was a key
contributor before the knee began to bother him. He hit .328
with 10 extra-base hits and 24 runs scored before the All-Star
Game and .233 with six extra-base hits and nine runs scored
after the break.
Martinez is a career .276 hitter with 91 homers and 580 RBI in
1,918 games.
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