JD Martinez Still Out of Red Sox Lineup While Dealing With Sore Back

Just as the Boston Red Sox recalibrated and were able to play up to their talent level, their fiercest power hitter had to fall ill and miss time.

JD Martinez was under the weather for the last two games with the flu, and will now miss Boston's game against the Blue Jays in Toronto Wednesday night.

Martinez has been diagnosed with a sore back. While not a serious injury, back issues always need to be given extra attention given how much they affect even basic movements.

While the lineup around him was crumbling to pieces or struggling to kick-start the 2019 season, Martinez picked up right where he left off last year and continued to mash. Martinez is hitting .308 with nine home runs, including career home run No. 200, showing that the MVP-level production and incredible power stroke he showed last year was anything but a fluke.

If the Red Sox want to stay hot and contend for the AL East, they need Martinez and his thunderous bat in the lineup.