Red Sox

J.D. Martinez reinstated from COVID-19 injured list

Martinez was placed on the list Saturday due to cold symptoms.

J.D. Martinez is back in the Red Sox lineup for Sunday's series finale against the Orioles. AP Photo/Michael Dwyer

April 11, 2021

Less than 24 hours after getting placed on the COVID-19 injured list, J.D. Martinez was removed from the list, the Red Sox announced.

The Red Sox outfielder/designated hitter was placed on the COVID-19 injured list Saturday as a precaution because he had cold symptoms. A player does not need to test positive to be placed on the list. However, Martinez needed to test negative for the virus twice in order to be removed from the list.

When the Red Sox placed Martinez on the list Saturday, manager Alex Cora expected he wouldn’t be on there for long.

“We feel pretty confident that he’ll be able to be with us (Sunday), but obviously we have to wait,” Cora told reporters.

Martinez returns to the lineup for Sunday’s game against the Orioles, where he’ll hit in the third spot and play DH for the day. In order to make room for Martinez on the roster, the Red Sox optioned infielder Michael Chavis back down to the team’s alternate training site.

Martinez has gotten off to a strong start to the 2021 season. His nine extra-base hits lead all of baseball through Saturday’s games. Martinez is hitting .433 from the plate with two homers and 12 RBIs.