Anthony Fenech

Detroit Free Press

SARASOTA, Fla. – A day later, the Detroit Tigers are still without a definitive answer on J.D. Martinez.

Though inside the visiting manager’s clubhouse this afternoon at Ed Smith Stadium, the outlook for the rightfielder’s immediate playing future did not seem bright.

The Tigers received initial MRI test results on Martinez’s right foot, which sustained a mid-foot sprain in Saturday’s game against the Marlins. Those results, manager Brad Ausmus would not disclose, because the team is seeking a second opinion from a foot specialist.

“I’m going to wait until we hear from the specialist,” Ausmus said.

The team should get results soon; Ausmus said perhaps even as soon as the team’s bus ride home to Tiger Town.

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Ausmus could not give a definitive timetable on Martinez’s return and declined to say whether the initial test results could be considered good news or bad news, or if Martinez’s status for Opening Day is in jeopardy.

“Again, I can’t really say because we’re waiting for an expert to look at it,” he said. “I’d tell you, but I might be misleading you.”

Martinez left Saturday’s game against the Marlins in the first inning, after rolling his ankle on a catch to end the first inning. X-ray tests came back negative, meaning there were no broken bones.

But there could be ligament damage that sidelines him for an extended period of time, which would be a huge blow to the middle of the Tigers’ lineup.

About the results, Ausmus said, “We should have them today. Maybe (head trainer) Kevin (Rand) has them, but I haven’t been made aware of them. But usually he tells me right away.

“Our doctor looked at them and wants a specialist to look at it before any time frame or anything like that. That’s actually what was told to me: Before they give us a time frame, they want a specialist to look at it.”

In the immediate aftermath of the Tigers’ 7-1 win over the Orioles on Sunday, Rand was working with a player and unable to comment on the initial MRI test results, according to a team media relations officer.

The mid-foot area – which Martinez sprained – consists of several ligaments, some more critical than others. Those ligaments hold the bones together and stablize the arch.

The most critical of those ligaments is the Lisfranc ligament, which would require the lengthiest recovery time if compromised.

Martinez, 29, is scheduled to hit free agency after the season. In 2016, he hit .307 with 22 home runs and 68 RBIs. In three seasons with the Tigers, he has hit .299 and averaged 28 home runs and 82 RBIs.

If he were lost for an extended period of time, the Tigers would look to Steven Moya to fill his void in rightfield.

Moya, 25, is a .250 hitter in limited major league action. He is out of minor league options and would be exposed to waivers if he does not make the team out of spring training, though scouts are split on whether he would be claimed.

Moya, though a left-handed hitter, would represent a stark drop off from Martinez, both offensively and defensively.

The Tigers kept the core of the team intact this off-season, hoping they would avoid big injuries, which plagued their postseason chances a year ago. In 2016, they missed Martinez, third baseman Nick Castellanos and starting pitcher Jordan Zimmermann for extended periods of time.

Though Martinez has not been confirmed for such an absence, the early returns point to an injury situation more serious than the day-to-day variety the team was hoping for.

Contact Anthony Fenech: afenech@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @anthonyfenech. Download our Tigers Xtra app for free on Apple and Android devices!

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