It is nearly a year now since Victor Martinez destroyed his left knee during an off-season workout near his Orlando, Florida home. The Tigers switch-hitter extraordinaire managed to tear the anterior cruciate ligament and damage the medial and lateral meniscus during a side-stride drill last January 13.

The former Cleveland Indian underwent micro fracture surgery, in the hope that he would be back on the field in time for a Tigers pennant drive.  Martinez, however, missed not only the entire regular season, but the Tigers run to the 2012 World Series as well. While his teammates hoisted flags and celebratory booze, Victor toiled through a slow, steady rehabilitation program, designed to heal a left knee that had been shredded.

Now, 31 days before the Tigers pitchers and catchers report to spring training, and with nearly three months until Opening Day, the combo DH-catcher-first baseman works out most days near Orlando under supervision of his therapist Doug Allen.


Lynn Henning of the Detroit News got these details from Tigers head athletic trainer Kevin Rand on Thursday.  "He's doing real, real well. He's been hitting for a bit more than a month, from soft-toss swings to regular swings, feeling real well, and with no issues."  Rand continued, "He's been doing a running progression that's up to 20 minutes, again, without any issues. And he will initiate a base running program (today)."

Martinez, now 34 (and never a swift runner), will drive to Lakeland today for some initial base running drills overseen by the Tigers staff and trainers. He will shift into a regular batting-practice routine in early February.