AROUND THE HORN
Mets: All-Star J.D. Martinez was given a shot Tuesday to address lower back tightness that has delayed his debut with the Mets. Manager Carlos Mendoza said he spoke with Martinez, who has been working at the team’s facility in Port St. Lucie, Florida, after signing a one-year, $12 million contract on March 24. Mendoza said Martinez, 36, experienced similar lower back soreness following spring training last season with the Dodgers and added “he’s feeling it again.” “Last year in April he dealt with it, got a shot in April and was back seven days later,” Mendoza said before Tuesday night’s game against the Braves. “He got a shot today . ... He said, ‘Last year I got a shot and I was perfectly fine for the rest of the season.’ ” Mendoza said he will wait two or three days to determine “how he responds to treatment” before he knows more about when Martinez can resume his preparations to join the team. Mendoza said the development with Martinez’s back was “nothing too concerning” and added the decision was made “to take care of it right now.” Mendoza said Sunday he thought Martinez was dealing with overall soreness before learning about the lower back tightness. Martinez hit .271 with 33 home runs and 103 RBIs in 2023 with the Dodgers and is expected to serve as the Mets’ primary designated hitter when healthy. Mendoza has said he expects Martinez to see some playing time in the outfield. He went 1 for 8 in two rehab games last weekend with Class A St. Lucie.
Nationals: Opening day starter Josiah Gray was placed on the 15-day IL with a right elbow and forearm problem. Gray, 26, is a right-hander who was an NL All-Star last season. He’s 0-2 with a 14.04 ERA so far in 2024. The IL move is retroactive to Saturday.
Red Sox: RHP Nick Pivetta was placed on the 15-day IL with a strained a right flexor. Pivetta, 31, is 1-1 with a 0.82 ERA and has made two starts this season, allowing one run and eight hits over 11 innings with 13 strikeouts. The IL moves is retroactive to Saturday.
Extra innings: The Astros placed LHP Framber Valdez on the 15-day IL because of elbow soreness. Manager Joe Espada said he d he hoped the pitcher will miss only a couple of starts. Valdez was scratched from his scheduled start in the series opener, returned to Houston and was diagnosed with inflammation on top of the elbow. The 30-year-old is 0-0 with a 2.19 ERA in two starts this season . ... Former Dodgers pitcher Julio Urías has been charged with five misdemeanors stemming from his his arrest last September on suspicion of domestic violence. Urias, 27, faces charges including one count of spousal battery, two counts of domestic battery involving a dating relationship, one count of false imprisonment and one count of assault, according to the Los Angeles City Attorney’s office. Urías was placed on administrative leave indefinitely by MLB after his arrest outside BMO Stadium in Los Angeles where he attended a Major League Soccer game. Police were first alerted by a citizen who reported a man and woman were in a physical altercation. Urías was arrested by Department of Public Safety officers on felony suspicion of domestic violence. Even without a criminal conviction, MLB could suspend the 27-year-old left-hander if it concludes he violated the policy.