CLEVELAND -- Having fought off a serious bacterial infection that affected his vital organs, Indians outfielder Leonys Martin can finally focus on baseball.
Doctors at the Cleveland Clinic gave Martin full clearance to resume all baseball activity Tuesday. He will begin an unrestricted offseason strength and conditioning program in preparation for Spring Training, and the Indians anticipate him being ready for the start of the 2019 season.
The Indians acquired Martin from the division-rival Tigers in advance of the July non-waiver Trade Deadline. But he played just six games for the team before succumbing to nausea and stomach discomfort that rapidly worsened before doctors were able to treat the infection. He spent rougly one week in an intensive care unit at the Clinic and missed the remainder of the season.
One reason the Indians were attracted to Martin on the trade market was that he was attached to club control through 2019. He is currently penciled in as a regular in center field for a Tribe team trying to situate the rest of its outfield complexion.
Last month, the 30-year-old Martin and the Indians avoided salary arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $3 million contract. In 84 games for the Tigers and Indians in 2018, Martin, who has also played for the Cubs, Mariners and Rangers, hit .255 with a .747 OPS, 11 homers and 15 doubles and was worth three defensive runs saved in center field.