Russell Martin is still recovering from August hip surgery, but today his agent told Dylan Hernandez of the Los Angeles Times that the catcher will “absolutely” be healthy in time for spring training.
Matt Colleran told Hernandez that Martin should be cleared to resume running at full speed within the “next couple of weeks” and has been working with a personal trainer in Montreal.
Martin’s health is key because the Dodgers are no sure thing to tender him a contract following back-to-back disappointing seasons. Martin earned $5 million this season and would likely get a raise to at least $6 million via the arbitration process, which is a lot for a guy who hit just .249 with a .680 OPS during the past two seasons if his hip remains any kind of question mark.
Hernandez speculates that Martin could traded or non-tendered, but for now at least Colleran says the 28-year-old former All-Star “loves L.A.” and “that’s where he expects to be ... unless he’s told differently.”
