Anthony Fenech

Detroit Free Press

LAKELAND, Fla. – Victor Martinez remains in a holding pattern.

The Detroit Tigers’ designated hitter hasn’t played in a week since suffering a mild left hamstring strain, and it doesn’t sound like he will be playing soon.

“We’ll see how he is tomorrow,” manager Brad Ausmus told reporters before the team’s split-squad game against the Atlanta Braves on Sunday in Kissimmee. “There’s a possibility he may swing a bat tomorrow, soft toss, but we’ve got to wait and see.”

Martinez has been undergoing treatment and working out, Ausmus said.

Martinez was sidelined after trying to advance to second base on a single to rightfield in the Tigers’ exhibition win over the New York Mets on March 14. He strained the hamstring while accelerating.

And while there are two weeks until Opening Day against the Miami Marlins on April 5 - more than enough time for Martinez to return to the field and ready himself - the possibility looms that he might not be available with each passing day he isn’t on the field.

“Is there any possibility? Of course there is,” Ausmus said. “There’s a possibility that everyone in camp might not be ready. I wouldn’t say it’s trending that way. … It’s a possibility.”

Detailing the steps Martinez needs to take before returning, Ausmus said: “He has to take soft toss because that’s kind of the steps you take when you have an injury. You don’t want him going out there swinging full bore having not tested the hamstring in a milder condition.”

Martinez, 37, has undergone two major surgeries on his left knee. Last season, he never fully recovered from a meniscus repair in early February and was hobbled for the vast majority of the season, hitting a career-low .245 with 11 home runs and 64 RBIs.

The Tigers initially expected Martinez would return over the weekend.

Before the strain, he looked healthy and it showed in his spring at-bats: Martinez is 9-for-28 with two home runs.

Ausmus’ plan was for Martinez to play first base during the team’s two-game interleague series to open the season, moving Miguel Cabrera to third base, in order to keep both big bats in the lineup. He has not played first base this spring.

The Tigers have 12 Grapefruit League games remaining after today. And the more Martinez misses, the more likely the possibility Ausmus mentioned becomes a reality.

Contact Anthony Fenech: afenech@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @anthonyfenech.

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