In a recent development, it has been revealed that J.D. Martinez will not be taking the field with the New York Mets at the start of the season. Instead, Martinez will focus on building up his skills through minor league at-bats initially. The decision comes as Martinez's heavily deferred one-year, $12 million contract nears completion pending his physical examination.

With the season opener against the Milwaukee Brewers fast approaching on Thursday at Citi Field, it was determined that there simply wasn't enough time for Martinez to be fully prepared. As a result, it was agreed upon that Martinez would give consent for a specific minor league stint, which is expected to last around 10 days.

During his time in the minors, Martinez will have the opportunity to make up for the missed at-bats that occurred as a result of his unsigned status for most of spring training. These at-bats can be accumulated either at the expanded spring training facility in Port St. Lucie or with a minor league team. Notably, the Triple-A season is set to commence next Friday.

This decision allows Martinez to properly acclimate and regain his form before making his debut with the Mets. While there may be some disappointment among fans at his absence during the season opener, the importance of ensuring Martinez's preparedness for the long season ahead cannot be understated.

The Mets and their fans will undoubtably be eager to witness Martinez's impact on the team as the season progresses. With his minor league stint acting as a stepping stone, the talented outfielder will soon join the Mets on the field, ready to showcase his skills and contribute to the team's success.

As the countdown to the season opener continues, the Mets and Martinez will be hard at work, ensuring that he is well-prepared to make a significant impact once he rejoins the major league squad.