George Sipple

Detroit Free Press

LAKELAND, Fla. -- Detroit Tigers rightfielder J.D. Martinez said today that he suffered a sprained ligament in his right foot last weekend but is feeling better every day.

“If you’re able to put weight on it, that’s a very positive sign,” Martinez told reporters this morning at Joker Marchant Stadium. “And I’m able to. We get the real answer on Friday.”

It's uncertain how long Martinez will be out, but he said he'd like to be ready for Opening Day on April 3. He's scheduled to have a stress CT scan Friday in North Carolina. The Tigers sought a second opinion of an MRI test result after Martinez sustained a midfoot injury Saturday against the Miami Marlins.

“The way it was explained is that it’s a tricky spot,” Martinez said. “So, it’s like a week-to-week thing almost. You think it’s fine and then, in a week, you look at it, and it doesn’t look fine. So, it’s one of those things you gotta monitor from week to week and take pictures almost every week. So, that’s kind of the route we’re taking. We gotta go out there and get on a weight-bearing CT scan, which will really tell.”

Martinez said doctors just want to rule out everything else.

“I don’t know what to compare it to,” Martinez said. “I’m guessing it’s like a high ankle sprain. It’s one of those things that might take a couple weeks.”

Martinez said he removed his walking boot one night at his apartment. “I can almost walk normal. I’m encouraged by the way I can walk and the way I can put weight on it. That’s what I’m feeling good about. My anxiety is still there because I want to be ready by Opening Day. I don’t know what’s going to happen. They said (I) could wake up tomorrow and feel great. And all of a sudden, we’re moving forward. … We find out on Friday.”

Manager Brad Ausmus on Monday said he didn't think the injury was "bleak."

Martinez, 29, is scheduled to become a free agent after the season. Last season, he hit .307 with 22 home runs and 68 RBIs in 120 games. In three seasons with the Tigers, he has hit .299 and averaged 28 home runs and 82 RBIs per year.

“It’s one of those things you just have to laugh about,” Martinez said. “It was the day I wore brand-new cleats. I wanted to change it because I didn’t want to slip. I’ve been wearing the same ones all spring. I was like, ‘You know what? Let me change these before I slip.’”

Tigers notes: Anibal Sanchez not comfortable yet, but throwing strikes