Detroit Tigers: Victor Martinez returns, John Hicks optioned

Detroit Tigers fans will see Victor Martinez return on Monday. The team announced on Sunday night in a tweet that the veteran is back from the paternity list. John Hicks will head to Toledo to make room.

Detroit Tigers designated hitter Victor Martinez is back with the team.

The veteran, who is batting .270 this season, missed the weekend series against Texas as he went on the paternity list.

J.D. Martinez and Miguel Cabrera both saw time at designated hitter with the 38-year-old away from the team.

Detroit announced the transaction in a tweet on the team’s official Twitter page on Sunday night.

The Tigers’ official Twitter account tweeted the following:

"“Following tonight’s game, Detroit optioned John Hicks to Toledo (AAA). Victor Martinez will be reinstated from the paternity list on Monday.”"

Hicks has a 0.3 WAR in just 27 plate appearances this season.

Mainly filling in at first base, the former fourth-round draft pick is batting .424 with a .444 on-base percentage, a .654 slugging percentage and a 1.098 OPS in limited playing time.

The 27-year-old also chipped in with seven RBI, six runs scored, three doubles, a walk and a home run in his time with the Tigers.

Moving forward, it certainly wouldn’t be a surprise to see him back in Detroit at some point in the coming months.

Victor Martinez’ return

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Martinez’ stats this season aren’t exactly in line with his 2014, MVP-runner up numbers—or for that matter, his number last season.

The slugger is batting .270 with a .338 on-base percentage and a .387 slugging percentage. That spits out to a .725 OPS, which would register as the third-lowest mark of Martinez’ career.

Additionally, the former Red Sox player has just seven doubles and three home runs on the season.

However, there’s significant reason for hope moving forward.

Martinez has looked like himself in his last 11 games, batting .350 with a 1.022 OPS.

The designated hitter has eight RBI, six runs scored, four doubles and two home runs over the 45 plate appearance stretch.

That period also included five walks compared to just five strikeouts.

Next: Tigers success in 2017 fueled by under-the-radar acquisitions

The Detroit Tigers return to action on Monday in Houston against the Astros. First pitch is scheduled for 8:10 p.m. Eastern time.