CLEVELAND -- The Guardians were in wait-and-see mode Saturday evening with the status of outfielder Angel Martínez, who exited Cleveland’s 9-1 loss to the Red Sox at Progressive Field with a left foot injury.
Alarm bells went off when Martínez did not take his position in left field for the top of the fifth inning. Stuart Fairchild entered in his place, and Cleveland later announced that Martínez exited with left foot inflammation.
Manager Stephen Vogt noted postgame that Martínez was headed for further evaluation.
“He's going for an MRI this afternoon, so we’ll have more information tomorrow,” Vogt said.
Martínez first felt the foot issue earlier this week, according to Vogt, on an unspecified play. The 24-year-old was able to play through it, but he felt it “light up even more” as he chased a fly ball during Saturday’s contest, the Guardians’ manager said.
It was not fully clear which play Martínez felt the issue on Saturday, though he appeared to wince when he caught a line drive hit by Boston’s Isiah Kiner-Falefa in the second inning. According to Statcast, Martínez covered 34 feet moving in and slightly to his left to make the routine grab.
“We took him out, out of precaution. We're going to get a scan of it just to see exactly what it is,” Vogt said.
Martínez (who struck out twice before exiting) has been one of Cleveland’s top bright spots this season. He entered Saturday slashing .246/.284/.454 with nine doubles, nine home runs (first on the team) and 29 RBIs (second) this season, while splitting his time across the three outfield spots.
Martínez made what Vogt deemed “the play of the game” in the Guardians’ 4-3 win on Friday. He recorded an outfield assist in the second inning by throwing out Boston’s Mickey Gasper at home plate. It loomed large in the one-run win.
The Guardians are already without outfielder Steven Kwan, who went on the bereavement/family medical emergency list on Thursday and may remain there up to seven days. Cleveland selected Fairchild’s contract from Triple-A Columbus on Friday in a corresponding move.
Saturday night was too soon to know whether Martínez will miss any time. The team should know more by Sunday. There are a few outfielders on the 40-man roster whom the Guardians could turn to if needed, including CJ Kayfus, George Valera and Kahlil Watson (No. 13 prospect).
Kayfus and Valera each made their MLB debut in 2025 and have seen time in the Majors this season. Watson is vying to make his big league debut this year; he entered Saturday with 11 home runs, an .884 OPS and 30 walks with 62 strikeouts over 46 games with Columbus.
The Guardians and Red Sox were tied, 1-1, when Fairchild entered for Martínez. Cleveland had a rough final few innings, which culminated with Boston scoring six runs in the ninth inning off lefty Will Dion, only two of which were earned.
Boston scored its nine runs on 11 hits, five walks and two hit batters. Cleveland, meanwhile, scored one run on six hits and four walks. Travis Bazzana and José Ramírez hit back-to-back doubles to lead off the first inning.
“This was an off day,” Vogt said. “We didn't play well. We didn't compete as well as I would have liked at the plate, and we played sloppy in the field. Too many free passes on the bases.”
The Guardians committed four errors, which marked their most since June 26, 2025, against the Blue Jays (also four). Matt Festa committed a throwing error on a pickoff attempt to first base in the sixth, on a throw wide of Kyle Manzardo. Boston’s Marcelo Mayer advanced to second and scored moments later on a Connor Wong RBI double (which was initially ruled a home run before being overturned after replay review).
Shortstop Brayan Rocchio picked up a fielding error when he bobbled a grounder hit by Ceddanne Rafaela in the seventh. Rafaela didn’t score. In the ninth, the Red Sox loaded the bases on a walk, a hit by pitch and a fielder’s choice. On the latter, Mayer hit a comebacker to Dion, who attempted to throw out lead runner Wilyer Abreu at third.
José Ramírez dropped the toss to record a missed catch error. Dion then walked Mastaka Yoshida with the bases loaded to bring in another run. Wong hit a two-run single, and Fairchild picked up a bit of a tough-luck throwing error when his toss from left field to home plate skipped past catcher Austin Hedges.
The Guardians are 18-10 in May. They have a chance to close out the month on a high note on Sunday.
“These games happen,” Vogt said. “You flush them, and you come back tomorrow, ready to win a series.”