Martin was with the team on a minor-league deal for the majority of spring training. He collected five hits on 19 at-bats, though he also struck out nine times. Martin has played in Japan for the last three seasons and is a candidate to head back overseas.
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Mariners' Leonys Martin: Signs with Seattle as NRI
Rotowire
Martin signed a minor-league contract with the Mariners on Thursday and received an invitation to major-league spring training, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.
Martin has spent the last three-plus seasons in Japan, slashing .220/.350/.461 with the Chiba Lotte Marines. His last taste of major-league action came in 2019 with Cleveland, where he posted a .619 OPS and had 19 RBI over 264 plate appearances.
Martin signed a one-year contract Sunday with the Chiba Lotte Marines of Japan's Pacific League, the Associated Press reports.
The 31-year-old hit just .199 prior to being designated for assignment by Cleveland in late June and going unclaimed on waivers. He managed to hit for some power, driving in nine home runs through 65 games in 2019 (his career high is 15). It wouldn't be surprising to see Martin pursue a contract with a major-league club next year after refining his skills in Japan, but it's likely that his best days are behind him, as he'll turn 32 next March.
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Leonys Martin: Becomes free agent
Rotowire
Martin has cleared waivers and elected free agency.
No team decided to add Martin to their active roster via the waiver system, but he will now get the chance to decide where his next stop will be. Martin hit just .199 over 65 games with Cleveland this year, but he did hit nine home runs, so it remains to be seen if his next contract will be of the major- or minor-league variety.
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Indians' Leonys Martin: Loses roster spot
Rotowire
The Indians designated Martin for assignment Saturday, Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports.
The writing was on the wall for Martin to notice a downsized role after he was left out of the lineup for the second straight day Saturday against the Tigers, but it's more surprising that he'll be removed from the roster entirely. That being said, the decision was a justifiable one given that Martin supplied a meager .619 OPS across 264 plate appearances this season. With Martin out of the picture, Oscar Mercado should take over as the Tribe's primary center fielder, while fourth outfielder Jordan Luplow could step into an everyday role after previously being limited to the short side of a platoon in right with Tyler Naquin.
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Indians' Leonys Martin: Benched against righty
Rotowire
Martin is out of the lineup for Saturday's game against the Tigers, Mandy Bell of MLB.com reports.
Martin sat out the series opener Friday with a lefty (Matthew Boyd) on the mound for Detroit, but the outfielder's absence Saturday comes as more of a surprise with right-hander Spencer Turnbulll on the bump. Manager Terry Francona could be considering dropping Martin from the everyday lineup with the 31-year-old sitting on a hideous .199/.276/.343 batting line for the season.
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Indians' Leonys Martin: Takes seat vs. lefty
Rotowire
Martin isn't in the starting lineup for Friday's game against the Tigers.
Martin will head to the bench with a lefty in Matthew Boyd slated to toe the rubber for the opposition. Oscar Mercado draws the start in center field, allowing for Jordan Luplow to man left in Martin's absence.
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Indians' Leonys Martin: Catches breather
Rotowire
Martin isn't in the starting lineup for Tuesday's game against the Rangers.
Martin has registered a base knock in five of his last seven contests, but he's in line for a night off. Oscar Mercado will start in center field and bat second in Martin's stead.
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Indians' Leonys Martin: Launches ninth homer in win
Rotowire
Martin went 1-for-4 with a three-run home run and a walk in Friday's game against the Tigers.
Martin handed his team a two-run lead in the fourth inning with a three-run blast to right field, his ninth long ball of the season. However, the 31-year-old is slashing a dismal .206/.285/.358 through 60 games this season, so he's seen his fair share of struggles at the plate to this point.
Martin is not in the lineup Wednesday against the Twins, Mandy Bell of MLB.com reports.
Martin will retreat to the bench Wednesday with left-hander Martin Perez starting for the Twins. In his place, Oscar Mercado is covering center field, with Jordan Luplow and Jake Bauers starting in right and left field, respectively.
Martin went 1-for-4 with a two-run homer to provide the Indians with a three-run cushion in their 5-2 win over the White Sox on Saturday.
Martin connected off Ivan Nova in the seventh inning for his first home run since May 11. The 31-year-old hit just .214 with one homer and two steals in May and now holds a .219/.296/.359 slash line for the season.
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Indians' Leonys Martin: Situated on bench
Rotowire
Martin is not in the lineup Thursday against the White Sox, Mandy Bell of MLB.com reports.
Martin will retreat to the bench for the second time in three games as the Indians face another left-hander in Manny Banuelos. Given his .495 OPS against southpaws this season (compared to his .722 OPS against right-handers), Martin could continue to sit against same-handed pitchers. Oscar Mercado is starting in center field Thursday, with Greg Allen getting the nod in left field.
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Indians' Leonys Martin: Not in lineup
Rotowire
Martin is not starting Tuesday against Boston, Jessica Camerato of MLB.com reports.
Despite an unimpressive .228/.305/.361 slash line, Martin has remained a constant in an unstable Cleveland outfield, starting 48 out of 54 games. Oscar Mercado gets the nod in center field on this occasion.
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Indians' Leonys Martin: Sits Saturday
Rotowire
Martin is not in Saturday's lineup against the Orioles, Mandy Bell of MLB.com reports.
Martin is hitting .250 with a 34.1 percent strikeout rate over his last 10 games. Jordan Luplow will start in right field with a lefty (John Means) on the hill for Baltimore, while prospect Oscar Mercado gets the start in center field, hitting ninth.
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Indians' Leonys Martin: Hitting ninth again
Rotowire
Martin will start in center field and bat ninth Sunday against the Athletics, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
Martin will hit at the bottom of the order for the third game in a row as the Indians experiment with him as a de facto second leadoff hitter. The low placement in the lineup didn't hinder Martin in Saturday's 3-2 loss, as he went 2-for-4 with a home run while driving in both of the Tribe's runs on the day.
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Indians' Leonys Martin: Benched in series finale
Rotowire
Martin is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the White Sox, Mandy Bell of MLB.com reports.
Martin recently overcame a sore hamstring, so manager Terry Francona is likely just granting him some rest after back-to-back starts. Jordan Luplow will replace Martin in center field and bat fifth in the series finale.
