The New York Yankees will have more than a handful of options to spend time at first base during spring training.
One of their offseason minor league signings, Ernesto Martinez Jr., is one of them. Martinez, 26, has yet to make his Major League debut but is knocking at the door, getting his first taste of Triple-A last season in the Milwaukee Brewers organization.
On Sunday, Francys Romero reported on X that Martinez has decided against playing for Team Cuba in the World Baseball Classic, instead focusing on making the Opening Day roster with the Yankees.
Martinez needs an impressive spring
The Yankees’ lineup is already left-handed heavy, and Martinez also swings from the left-handed side of the batter’s box. Based on recent reports, New York would prefer to sign a right-handed hitter to complement Ben Rice at first.
Martinez is also a capable outfielder, but playing time in the MLB outfield with the Yankees is hard to come by. New York already has to decide the best way to utilize Jasson Dominguez and or Spencer Jones.
In 80 games at Triple-A Nashville last season, Martinez hit .255/.357/.388 with six home runs and a .745 OPS in 311 plate appearances.
