DIAMONDBACKS GET MARTINEZ FROM TIGERS
The biggest power bat on baseball’s trade market moved in a hurry Tuesday when the Detroit Tigers shipped outfielder J.D.
Martinez to the Arizona Diamondbacks in exchange for three prospects. In a deal that signals a significant rebuild in Detroit and a go-for-it mentality for the National League wild-card-leading Diamondbacks, the Tigers will receive minor league infielders Dawel Lugo, Sergio Alcantara and Jose King. In exchange, Arizona gets a daunting middle of the lineup that will feature right- handed sluggers Martinez and
Paul Goldschmidt sandwiching power-hitting third baseman
Jake Lamb. While the Diamondbacks aren’t likely to catch the rampaging Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL West, it certainly makes Arizona a daunting playoff foe — particularly since it has lefty and righty aces in Robbie Ray and
Zack Greinke, who could navigate the wild-card game and Game 1 of a division series. Martinez revived his career in Detroit after foundering with the Houston Astros. Embracing a new stance and commitment to hitting more fly balls, he hit 23 home runs in 2014, his first season in Detroit, and was an All-Star and Silver Slugger in 2015. Martinez is making $11.75 million this season and will be a free agent in the offseason. That’s the main reason the prospect return from Arizona was, in a sense, underwhelming. Lugo, a 22-year-old shortstop, is batting .282 with seven homers and a .753 OPS in his first full season in Class AA. Alcantara is a year younger and a level lower — producing a .706 OPS and 11 stolen bases in 21 attempts at high Class A Visalia (Calif.).
Carlos Correa, the Houston Astros’ All-Star shortstop and potential MVP candidate, will miss up to two months with a torn ligament in his left thumb, an injury that shouldn’t imperil the club’s playoff prospects but could hinder their postseason preparation. Correa was injured swinging at a pitch in Monday night’s loss to the Seattle Mariners and left the game. “Losing a player of Carlos’ caliber for an extended period is a big blow to our club, but I believe we have the roster to persevere and continue to win games,” Astros general manager Jeff Luhnow said in a statement. “We do expect Carlos to return to the club in September and be ready to contribute down the stretch.”
Milwaukee Brewers catcher Stephen Vogt is out for at least a month with a sprained left knee after a collision at home plate. Brewers manager Craig Coun
sell says Vogt will miss significant time. Vogt was hurt Monday when Pirates pitcher Chad Kuhl ran into him in the fifth inning of Pittsburgh’s 4-2 victory. The NL Central-leading Brewers got Vogt off waivers from the Oakland Athletics last month. The twotime All- Star is hitting .250 with four home runs and nine RBI in 12 games for the Brewers.
uMinnesota Twins right-hander Phil Hughes will miss the rest of the season because of persistent arm trouble related to a condition that required rib removal surgery a year ago. The Twins put Hughes, who was 4-3 with a 5.87 ERA in 532⁄ innings, 3 on the 60-day disabled list before their game Tuesday against the New York Yankees. Manager
Paul Molitor said another operation is possible.