The Cardinals delayed his assignment to an affiliate to give Martinez more time to get comfortable in the States. Martinez and teammate Jonathan Rodriguez, a Puerto Rico native, live together in an apartment, where they have relocated their inflatable mattresses into the living room — the only place with an air conditioner. Rodriguez serves as Martinez's translator and guide, taking him to open a new bank account the same morning he helps him through an interview.

Quad Cities manager Johnny Rodriguez said Martinez's development at this level will be a balance between on-field learning and off-field acclimation. Martinez is fluent in the 60 feet, 6 inches between the mound and home plate. Ordering his favorite chicken sandwich at McDonald's? Martinez is practicing.

"This is where I become the papa," manager Rodriguez said. "I become to him like a father, a pastor, a mom and a brother, and then his manager. … We have to be careful we don't rush it. Baby steps. Very baby steps."

Martinez grew up on the northern coast of the Dominican, about a three-hour drive from Santo Domingo. He said he was raised by a grandma, who he calls "mami," and an uncle. He said he never knew his father, and his mother died before his first birthday.

The past few years have made her absence clearer, Martinez said.