Astros call up Martinez to take Pence's place

By foxsports
Published

The Houston Astros purchased the contract of outfielder J.D. Martinez from Double-A Corpus Christi to take the roster spot vacated when right fielder Hunter Pence was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies on Friday night.

The 23-year-old Martinez was the Astros Minor League Player of the Year in 2010 and was hitting .338 with 13 homers and 72 RBIs. He arrived when the Astros were in the midst of batting practice Saturday night before their game against the Milwaukee Brewers.

Martinez says his heart was pounding because he wasn't sure what was happening when he was pulled from his game on Friday night. Houston manager Brad Mills plans to play Martinez often for the rest of the season.

The Astros traded Pence for four Phillies minor leaguers.