For the seven days after the Indians designated him for assignment on July 2, Michael Martinez lived the same routine.
He’d wake up in his hotel room, go buy groceries, eat, watch television, and wonder when and where he’d play baseball again.
“It was tough because I’ve never been in a situation like that,’’ Martinez said through a translator. “I was put on a three-day waiver where I only had to wait three days but seven days was tougher because I was just hanging around, not really doing much, and with the insecurity of what was going to happen next.’’
The Red Sox gave him his answer late Friday when they acquired the switch-hitting utilityman for cash. By Saturday afternoon, Martinez was in the Red Sox clubhouse, suited up in a fresh new uniform wearing No. 40 on his back and a satisfied grin on his face. He was available off the bench but did not play in a 4-1 victory over Tampa Bay.
Rookie Marco Hernandez was optioned to Triple A Pawtucket and Double A infielder Sean Coyle was designated for assignment to make room on the 40-man roster.
The acquisition of Martinez strengthens the Red Sox’ bench, which has been hit recently with a slew of injuries. The 33-year-old has major league experience at every position in the outfield as well as at second base, third base, and shortstop, a similar skillset to that of Brock Holt, who is out with a left ankle sprain suffered Friday.
Manager John Farrell said that Holt was unlikely to be available this weekend for the last two games before the All-Star break, but that it seemed like he would be able to avoid the disabled list. Infielder Josh Rutledge and outfielder Chris Young are both on the 15-day disabled list.
“The one thing that is really uncanny with the three guys that we’ve acquired, [Brad] Zigler, [Aaron] Hill, and now Martinez is what’s transpired on the field,’’ Farrell said. “We’re adding a guy, or three in this case, and unfortunately we’ve been hit with the injury bug here quickly, so fortunately we’ve got quality major leaguers to step in and fill those roles.’’
With Martinez, the Red Sox add a career .199 hitter in the majors (.268 in the minors). He hit .283 over 60 at-bats in 32 games for Cleveland this season. He spent most of last season in Triple A Columbus, batting .289 with 24 doubles, 5 triples, 5 home runs, and 42 RBIs.
After a week of monotony, Martinez barely had time to talk to the Red Sox coaching staff about how he’d fit into the team before he was getting to know the clubhouse.
Fenway featured a familiar face, however, in first base coach Ruben Amaro Jr. Amaro was the general manager of the Phillies when they acquired Martinez from the Nationals in the 2010 Rule 5 draft, so Martinez knew Amaro liked him.
“The first thing I thought of when I heard that I was coming over here, I thought that Ruben has to have something to do with it because I played with him for three years and he really knows me,’’ Martinez said.
Martinez was the third acquisition in as many days by Red Sox president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski, joining third baseman Hill and reliever Brad Ziegler as newcomers who will help the Sox survive their injuries and try to make a push after the break.
Martinez was happy just to have another opportunity to play in the majors so ending up in Boston, in playoff position, was quite the added bonus.
“This has been another dream come true, coming to a storied franchise like the Boston Red Sox, there’s so much history here, I’m happy to be here and contribute any way I can,’’ Martinez said.
