Martinez plays right to make room for Carter

JUPITER, Fla. -- J.D. Martinez found his name next to an unfamiliar spot when he looked at Tuesday afternoon's lineup.

Astros manager Bo Porter started him in right field, a position he has played just once over 152 big league games.

Porter's reasoning for the move was to give Chris Carter a chance to play in the outfield (in left). Carter, 26, has 66 Major League games at first and 22 in left. With a short wall and less ground to cover at Minute Maid Park, Porter believes Carter would be comfortable there.

"[J.D.'s] been doing a great job," Porter said. "J.D. played a lot of right field coming up in the Minor Leagues, so it just made sense to explore that option in Spring Training."

Martinez, who had surgery on his left hand last September, hit .241 with 11 home runs and 55 RBIs in 113 games after posting a .274 batting average, six homers and 35 RBIs in 53 games as a rookie in 2011. This spring, he is 8-for-30 (.267) with two doubles, one home run and four RBIs in 12 games.

"He hasn't had any setbacks at all," Porter said. "The main thing for us is that he was able to be injury-free and be able to do all the workload each and every day. He's been able to do that and we're satisfied with the progress which he's making."