CLEVELAND -- Cleveland Indians outfielder Leonys Martin will not play again this season.
After a follow-up appointment with doctors at the Cleveland Clinic, Martin has been ruled out for the remainder of the 2018 season after battling a life-threatening bacterial infection shortly after joining the Indians through a deal from the Detroit Tigers at the non-waiver trade deadline on July 31.
“While his prognosis remains positive for a full recovery, he will not be permitted to train at intensity levels to enable a return this season,” the Indians posted to their official Twitter page. “Continued thanks to the staff at the Clinic.”
The 6-foot-2, 200-pound Martin played in just six games with the Indians before falling ill and needing a lengthy stay in the hospital in order to recover from the infection, which was so aggressive that manager Terry Francona took time in a press conference to ask for prayers for the ailing outfielder.
Martin’s bacterial infection got into his bloodstream and created toxins that damaged internal organs and compromised their functions. However, Martin recovered enough to be released from Cleveland Clinic on Sunday, August 19, 11 days after becoming ill.
A native of Villa Clara, Cuba, Martin collected five hits in 15 at-bats (.333 batting average) with two home runs, four runs batted in, three runs scored and one walk against two strikeouts for the Indians. He had .353 on-base, .733 slugging and 1.086 on-base-plus-slugging percentages with the Indians.
The 30-year old Martin was acquired from the Tigers in exchange for top shortstop prospect Willi Castro at the trade deadline.