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 on Friday 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.
Martínez rejoined the Clippers’ lineup on Sunday, hitting second and playing right field. He went 2-for-2 with a pair of doubles and a sacrifice fly while playing seven innings defensively.
What’s next?
With Columbus on the road, Martínez will continue his rehab assignment with Double-A Akron on Tuesday. The RubberDucks have a six-game homestand this week vs. Altoona. Martínez is continuing 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 Friday. They’re taking a day-by-day approach and following how he is feeling and how he looks during games.
What are they saying?
Guardians manager Stephen Vogt said Martínez came out of the weekend well physically.
“He’s feeling really good, and it’s exciting,” Vogt said Monday.
What else?
Martínez has been sidelined for over one month, but he nonetheless entered Monday tied with Chase DeLauter for the team lead in home runs (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 entered Monday slashing .233/.258/.326 with 11 RBIs in 26 games this season. He or Halpin (who had a .471 OPS in 71 plate appearances over 33 games entering Monday) could return to Columbus once Martínez is ready to be activated.