Detroit Tigers: Returns of Victor Martinez and Alex Avila drawing near

A few weeks ago, Detroit Tigers’ fans were sure as to what was ailing the toothless offensive attack–Victor Martinez.

More from Motor City Bengals

• Detroit Tigers: Is it finally time to move the fences in at Comerica Park?
• Detroit Tigers: Riley Greene continues to impress with his performance
• Detroit Tigers: Outlook on Jace Jung is a little concerning
• The Detroit Tigers’ GM search reeks of incompetence
• Detroit Tigers: 3 things to learn from the Orioles rebuild

The Tigers’ DH, coming off knee surgery this past off-season has not been himself for sure. Numbers don’t lie and his (.216/.308/.270) were certainly telling the accurate story. There was no doubt that V-Mart needed some time off his feet to heal up a little more, and out of the Detroit lineup, but any delusions that the lineup would be better without the shell of Martinez have proved to be far from the case.

Everyone is hoping that Victor will be back to at least half of the Victor we know, and can improve on the field as he did coming back from injury during the 2013 season.

This return is seemingly getting closer as the Detroit Tigers have announced their DH is clear to begin taking batting practice, this coming a few days after he was cleared for baseball activities. Additionally, he seems to be running better than he has this entire season while working out near his home of Orlando after going on the DL on May 19.

Also soon to be joining Victor Martinez in the cage is catcher Alex Avila. Out since a knee injury forced him to be scratched before a game on May 7, Avila has been rehabbing and was also recently cleared for baseball activities.

Avila has been hitting off a tee and will be taking batting practice with his teammates at U.S. Cellular Field this weekend when the Tigers travel to Chicago for a three-game weekend series with the rival White Sox.

Avila has been a non-factor at the plate this season, hitting .200 with eight RBIs in 60 at-bats.

A healthy and potent V-Mart can stabilize this lineup quickly, but the question will remain to be seen, if and when he comes back, if it is the Victor Martinez that is painful to watch play these days (because he looks like he is in pain) or a rejuvenated and slightly healthier player.

Next: 5 Ways to Fix the Offense