OAKLAND – J.D. Martinez appears ready to take the field.
In the biggest step of his lengthy recovery from a Lisfranc sprain in his right foot, the Detroit Tigers announced Friday morning Martinez is scheduled to begin a minor league injury rehabilitation assignment with Class A Lakeland on Friday.
The move likely means Martinez is ready to test his foot in rightfield.
Martinez has been hitting in extended spring training games for the better part of a week. He fouled a pitch off his left foot Monday afternoon but X-ray tests were negative.
Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said a doctor looked at Martinez on Wednesday and there were no issues.