ATLANTA — J.D. Martinez is a veteran with plenty of key late-season games under his belt, but that experience doesn't mean much to a struggling player.
And Martinez is certainly in a slump.
He arrived at Truist Park on Tuesday but struggled, going 0-for-32 at-bats, prompting manager Carlos Mendoza to remove him from the starting lineup for the game against the Braves.
Jesse Winker played as the Mets' designated hitter and was 0-for-4 in the Mets' 5-1 loss.
“We're in the playoffs and of course we want to be there, but we just want to win, that's the most important thing,” Martinez said before the game. “We have the best hand right now, the best hand, but right now I'm not in good form. Other guys are in better form.”
Mendoza said left-hander Chris Sale will be the Braves' scheduled starter on Wednesday, with Martinez likely to get the start.
“I work hard and I'm too good a hitter to keep doing that,” Martinez said. “Just keep putting in the effort a little bit and the results will come.”
Martinez came into the day with a dismal September performance, with an OPS of .271.
This includes a batting average of 1 hit in 44 at-bats (his only hit was a single).
