The time has finally come… Orelvis Martinez has arrived at The Show.
The Toronto Blue Jays’ top position player prospect is set to make his highly-anticipated major league debut after being recalled from triple-A Buffalo ahead of Tuesday’s contest versus the Boston Red Sox. His arrival comes as shortstop Bo Bichette heads to the 10-day IL with a right calf strain.
Bichette last played on June 14 against the Cleveland Guardians prior to missing the last three games and will now sit out a fourth straight contest.
Martinez, widely known for his offensive gifts, has 16 home runs and 46 RBIs in 63 games with the Bisons this season, hitting .260/.343/.523 with a 119 wRC+. He enjoyed a career-long 15-game hitting streak in April, slashing .361/.418/.754 while posting 12 extra-base hits (six home runs) in that span.
The Blue Jays also called up a fresh arm Tuesday, optioning left-hander Brandon Eisert — who made his major league debut on Monday — to triple-A in favour of right-hander Ryan Burr.
Previously a shortstop, Martinez has converted to a full-time second baseman this season but has struggled to adjust to the right side of the infield, committing 12 errors in 36 starts. As such, Isiah Kiner-Falefa and Ernie Clement will likely handle duties at short in Bichette’s absence.
The 22-year-old top prospect is not in Toronto’s starting lineup, although he could enter off the bench as a pinch-hitter with three lefties deployed against right-handed starter Tanner Houck.
