Martinez becomes latest Cubs bench player sent to South Bend
Bench help has been elusive for the Cubs this season.
Steven Souza Jr. (.148 batting average), Albert Almora (.167) and Josh Phegley (.063) are in South Bend trying to get themselves right. Newcomer Jose Martinez joined them Tuesday, clearing a spot on the roster for swift outfielder Billy Hamilton.
The Cubs traded for Martinez a day before the deadline, thinking he'd give the lineup a boost against left-handed pitchers. But he's gone 0-for-14 at the plate with his new team. Martinez is signed through next season, so he's likely to return to Wrigley Field.
"Yeah, we need him," manager David Ross said of Martinez. "I think he's a really valuable piece that we feel like can help us. With his timing right now just being so off with where he feels like at the plate, just getting in some consistent at bats (in South Bend).
"We have two off days, so he's really only going to miss eight games in the 10 days is the hope. In this weird season, it's hard to give somebody consistent at-bats when they feel off and their timing's off. So just giving him an opportunity to go down there, get regular at-bats, get his timing back and come back and be the guy that we really need."
Hamilton was in uniform for Tuesday's game against Cincinnati, the team he played for from 2013-18. Cameron Maybin, a new acquisition that has been working out, started in place of Jason Heyward in right field once again.
"I've spoke to him (Hamilton) at length in my office," Ross said. "I think he's going to bring a threat that we don't really have - speed, outfield late defense. Probably won't see a whole lot of at bats early on. We'll see how things go. More pinch-run, defense late and hopefully he affects the game that way."