Martínez (foot fracture) begins rehab assignment in Triple-A

CLEVELAND -- Angel Martínez took a key step toward rejoining the Guardians’ lineup on Friday, when the 24-year-old outfielder began a rehab assignment with Triple-A Columbus.

Martínez went on the 10-day injured list on June 16 with a non-displaced left foot fracture. He suffered the injury on June 13, when he fouled a pitch off his foot in the first inning of the Guardians’ 3-1 win over the Tigers at Progressive Field.

Here’s everything you need to know about Martínez’s rehab assignment.

How did he perform?

Martínez hit second and started in left field for Columbus in its series opener against Indianapolis. He went 0-for-2 before the contest was suspended until Saturday due to rain. Martínez grounded out to second base in his first at-bat, and grounded out to shortstop his second trip to the plate.

What’s next?

Martínez was slated to play five innings before Friday’s game was suspended. He is set to play for the Clippers again on Saturday as he continues to build up physically and work toward playing a full nine innings.

Position players are granted a 20-day window for a rehab assignment, and the Guardians have initially mapped out Martínez’s progression through July 24. They’re taking a day-by-day approach and following how he is feeling and how he looks during games.

Columbus is on the road against St. Paul next week, while Double-A Akron has a six-game homestand against Altoona. So, Martínez’s assignment could transfer to the RubberDucks in the coming days.

What are they saying?

“He missed out on two innings last night, but he was able to get two at-bats and play three innings in the field,” Guardians manager Stephen Vogt said Saturday. “He felt really good coming out of it. Really good first day for Angel.”

What else?

Martínez has been sidelined for over one month, but he nonetheless was tied with Chase DeLauter for the team lead in home runs coming out of the All-Star break (11). His .718 OPS through 66 games is a marked improvement over 2025 (.628 in 139 games).

Martínez has spent most of his time in left (35 starts) and right field (18) this season, while mixing in some time in center (three). The Guardians’ outfield mix currently features DeLauter, Steven Kwan, and rookies Petey Halpin and Kahlil Watson, who has earned a window of opportunity since Martínez got hurt.

Watson (who’s ranked as Cleveland’s No. 12 prospect by MLB Pipeline) made his MLB debut on June 17. The 23-year-old slashed .221/.250/.312 with 10 RBIs in 23 games before the All-Star break. He or Halpin (who recorded a .436 OPS in 65 plate appearances over 31 games before the break) could return to Columbus once Martínez is ready to be activated.