V-Mart has microfracture surgery: The Tigers announced Monday that catcher Victor Martinez had microfracture surgery, as well as repairs to both the medial and lateral meniscus in his left knee. He is now slated to have ACL surgery in 6-8 weeks. Martinez is expected to miss the 2012 season. "I don't want to say it was a surprise," team president and general manager Dave Dombrowski said. "We knew it was a possibility. We didn't know the full extent of the damage for sure until Dr. Steadman got in there. He's the resident expert in the world on knees, and he feels it is more important to correct cartilage before the ACL to get the best results." (Updated 01/30/2012)
Injury Report
Knee - Expected to miss 2012 season (Updated - 1/17/12)
Fantasy Analysis
It seems V-Mart really messed up his knee to have this many procedures on it. The two biggest are the microfracture and upcoming ACL surgery. The Tigers signed Prince Fielder last week, so the team doesn't have to rush V-Mart back into action. We don't expect to see him until 2013 spring training at the earliest. V-Mart should only be held onto in long-term Fantasy keeper formats. (Updated 01/30/2012).
01/24/2012 18:31 Determined to win, Tigers make Prince fit
Prince Fielder wasn't a fit in Motown. Well, so Danny Knobler thought. But after the determined Tigers made it work, Knobler is ready to dispel that notion and vows never to overlook Detroit.
If you've enjoyed Victor Martinez's .300-plus batting average and 20-plus homers at catcher over the years, your last chance to indulge may have already gone out the window. The 33-year-old, who was in line to become exclusively a DH in 2012, suffered a torn ACL during offseason conditioning in January and could potentially miss the entire season. The recovery could be especially difficult for a player who is already in the twilight of his career. Though Martinez hit a career-high .330 last year, his 12 homers were his fewest for a full season. Still, he finished as the No. 1 catcher in Head-to-Head leagues, and with no need for off days as a full-time DH, he was in line to get enough at-bats to perhaps finish there again, even with a possible downturn in numbers. Not anymore, though. Martinez is still worth drafting late in AL-only leagues just in case he makes a miraculous recovery, but more than likely, you won't have any use for him in Fantasy until 2013. And by then, he might not be eligible at catcher anymore. (Updated 1/17/12)