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Mets Hire J.D. Martinez as Special Assistant Focused on Hitting

He will mentor hitters in a part-time, on-call role to support a revamped roster.

Overview

  • Martinez, who signed on last week, began the role at Citi Field on Wednesday and said he expects to attend about one homestand each month while staying in steady contact with players and the front office.
  • Describing himself as a clubhouse resource, he said he will help with approach, swing mechanics, game planning, and mentorship drawn from a 14-year career.
  • He chose the Mets over other offers, citing strong ties with the front office, a positive 2024 experience, and confidence in how the club is being built.
  • He said the 2026 roster is more talented than the 2024 NLCS team, pointing to new bats like Bo Bichette and Marcus Semien plus pitcher Freddy Peralta, with Juan Soto also part of the group.
  • Manager Carlos Mendoza praised Martinez’s presence and welcomed having him alongside special assistant Carlos Beltrán as another trusted voice around the team.