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J.D. Martinez Returns To Batting Fifth; Iglesias Back In Lineup

By Ashley Dunkak
@AshleyDunkak

DETROIT - After missing several games with a mild groin injury, Detroit Tigers shortstop Jose Iglesias is back in the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Minnesota Twins.

Tigers manager Brad Ausmus cautioned in his pregame availability that the shortstop's participation in the game was conditional, however.

"We've got to wait for him to run," Ausmus said. "There's still a chance that this could change."

In another lineup note, outfielder J.D. Martinez is back in the fifth spot. Martinez had recently been moved to the sixth spot because of struggles at the plate, but Ausmus said Tuesday afternoon that Martinez has turned a corner.

Martinez has hits in each of the last two games, and in the past five games he has gotten on base at an impressive rate. In the first 26 games of the season, Martinez walked four times, but in the past five games, he has walked eight times.

"More than anything, he's getting ready, he's getting set earlier, which allows him to see the ball," Ausmus said. "When you're getting set late, a lot of times your eyes are moving, you end up not seeing the pitches well, chasing pitches you think are strikes that aren't necessarily pitches to hit, and he's done a lot better job of getting his load out of the way early so his head's not moving when the pitch is coming to him."

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