TAMPA — Russell Martin still is getting used to his new team.
“I’m feeling good in this black,” he said pointing to his Yankees shorts, before correcting himself, “or what is it? It’s more navy.”
Martin, the Yankees’ new starting catcher, has to learn more than the team colors before Opening Day. He’s trying to learn the pitching staff, and in the process, rehab his right knee. Martin had surgery in December to repair a small tear in his meniscus, and said he still is not 100 percent.
Today will be the next test for Martin’s knee, as he tries to catch for the first time since the surgery. He has been hitting for about two weeks and took grounders yesterday.
“I think I’ll be ready for the season, for sure,” Martin said. “I can’t predict the future, but I feel pretty good right now.”
Yankees GM Brian Cashman said the team has no concerns about Martin being ready when pitchers and catchers begin official workouts Tuesday.
“He’s expected to be ready to go full bore,” Cashman said. “If we need to hold him back a little
bit, that’s fine. There’s no worries about him physically whatsoever.”
The Yankees signed Martin to a one-year, $4 million deal in December. The two-time All-Star is coming off two sub-par years for the Dodgers. Martin, who turns 28 next week, believes his offseason training hurt him in the last two years, and he switched things up this year.
This offseason, Martin engaged in cardio-heavy mixed martial arts style training with a trainer in Montreal who works with fighter George St. Pierre. Martin said he weighs about 15 pounds less and feels his endurance is much better.
“I feel in shape,” Martin said. “Last year I was trying to gain a little bit of weight and have more power. This year, I feel like I lost weight and I have more power.
“I’m not even thinking about hitting home runs. I just want to make solid contact and simplify my approach.”