Victor Martinez (Tigers photo)
Victor Martinez (Tigers photo)
Tigers' designated hitter Victor Martinzez is sidelined for the rest of this dismal season.
After a second diagnosis of atrial fibrillation last week in Chicago, the team said Saturday that Martinez, 38, will have cardiac fibrillation surgery soon and is done for the season, reports Anthony Fenech of the Detroit Free Press.:
Cardiac fibrillation surgery is a procedure to correct heart rhythms. Twice this season, Martinez has experienced symptoms of an irregular heartbeat. The procedure works by scarring or destroying tissue in the heart that triggers or sustains an abnormal heart rhythm, according to the Mayo Clinic.
“I talked to him yesterday about it and initially, he had some trepidation – with good reason – but after talking to the doctor again, he opted to go for it,” Ausmus said. “And like I said, it’s common and they’ve assured him there shouldn’t be any long-term risks.”
Martinez is batting .255. The Tigers are 21 games out of first place.
