Watch CBS News

Tigers Trainer Kevin Rand: Victor Martinez Could Be Wearing Knee Brace For Rest Of His Career

By Ashley Dunkak
@AshleyDunkak

CBS DETROIT - Following successful surgery Tuesday to address the torn medial meniscus in his left knee, Detroit Tigers designated hitter Victor Martinez should be able to resume full baseball activity in four to six weeks. Since Martinez has now undergone multiple surgeries on his left knee, however, the team will likely get Martinez fitted for a brace that he could wear for the rest of his career, Tigers head athletic trainer Kevin Rand said Tuesday.

"I already talked to Vic about it, and I told him, I said, 'Basically, be prepared, because probably what we're going to have to do is get you fitted for a brace that you may have to wear, just from a stability standpoint, possibly for the rest of your career, to help you from having this happen again,'" Rand said in a phone interview. "Obviously, as any athlete is, they're going to do whatever it takes to keep them out on the field. He's all for that, so we'll just look at whatever we have to do to protect him as much as possible and prevent this from happening to him again and get him forward.

"We're going to see as he goes to rehab, but my gut feeling is telling me that most likely, just from a safety standpoint, from a stability standpoint, it might be the best thing for him," Rand added, "and if it's determined that's the best thing for him, we'll find a way to make it happen."

Rand said athletes generally do not have a problem adjusting to playing with a brace.

"They usually are able to adjust to that fairly readily, especially a guy like Victor who's predominantly a designated hitter," Rand said. "I feel very confident we'd be able to find something. If necessary, we'll find something that'll work for him. And if not, that's fine, but I have a feeling that we may be looking to protect him a little bit. We'll see how rehab goes and see where it takes us."

Martinez tore the ACL in his left knee before the 2012 season and missed the entire year. Last week Martinez suffered the meniscus tear during a workout. He was playing catch when his knee locked up on him, Rand said. Swelling followed, and an MRI revealed the nature of the injury.

Rand said it remains to be seen what movements could be difficult for Martinez as he returns from the injury, but he expects Martinez to bounce back fine.

"Obviously from the standpoint of the knee, the meniscus is the shock absorber of the knee, so from that standpoint, things such as squatting, obviously, are going to be the last thing we're going to work on," Rand said, "but the fact of the matter is we've just got to get him moving forward again, and I think we'll do very well at that."

The first step of the rehab process will be getting the swelling down and getting the range of motion back, Rand said. From there, Martinez will work on strengthening the muscles that protect the knee.

As disappointing as it was for the Tigers to see the player they recently signed to a four-year, $68 million extension go down with an injury, the situation could have been worse.

"This is the best-case scenario for us," Rand said. "It offers a timetable that will allow him to get back and, like I say, gives him a shot to be ready to open the season, and if not, he shouldn't be very long after."

 

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.