Mets Option Martinez to Herd

Martinez, 21, challenged for a big league job by hitting .383 (18-47) with four doubles, two triples, three home runs and 11RBI in 21 spring exhibition games with the Mets. He led New York this spring with nine extra-base hits and 11RBI and was second on the club with 18 hits.

Martinez debuted with the Bisons in 2009 at 20 years and 135 days old, becoming the youngest player to play for the Bisons in 16 seasons. He hit .290 (51-176) with 16 doubles, eight home runs and 28RBI in 45 games with the Herd before earning a pair of big league promotions. At the time of his first call up to the Mets on May 26, he led the International League with 25 extra-base hits.

Martinez hit .176 (16-91) with one home run and eight RBI in 29 games for the Mets last season before being placed on the disabled list on July 9 with a knee injury. He did not return in 2009.

This past off season, Martinez was named the Most Valuable Player of the Caribbean Series. He led Leones del Escogido -managed by Ken Oberkfell- to a Dominican Winter League Championship before hitting .348 with two home runs and four RBI in six games of the Caribbean Series.