V-Mart says back OK after pinch-hitting cameo

PITTSBURGH -- The swings from Victor Martinez looked painful Tuesday night, but the Tigers' designated hitter turned pinch-hitter said he didn't tweak anything. It was his normal reaction.

Still, his manager's reaction was one of at least some concern.

"Yeah, he didn't look great at the end there," manager Brad Ausmus said, "so I'll talk with him in the next 24 hours and see how he's feeling."

Martinez has been relegated to pinch-hitting duties the last two games with no DH spot available in a National League park. Both times he has batted in the ninth inning and struck out. He hit for starting pitcher Shane Greene Tuesday, and swung and missed twice in the Tigers' 2-0 win over the Pirates.

He has a habit of reaching for his back on a swing-and-miss, and did so more than once over the weekend in Cleveland, where he was the DH. Whether this was the case, or he actually felt something is up to Ausmus to determine from him.

Martinez won't start Wednesday, so the difference will again be whether he pinch-hits or not. The Tigers are off on Thursday, so he could get two days off before they return home to start a 10-game homestand against the White Sox, Yankees and Indians.