For a scuffling Mets offense, the loss of J.D. Martinez would be significant.
The club’s designated hitter was removed after his lone plate appearance Tuesday ended in a 99.6-mph fastball connecting with his left elbow, resulting in a contusion.
In the second inning of a series-opener against the A’s at Citi Field, Martinez worked a 2-2 count before absorbing the heater and nearly jogging toward the visiting dugout, as if trying to run off the pain.
A trainer and manager Carlos Mendoza checked on Martinez, who remained in the game to run the bases and came around to score.
But in the dugout, Martinez sat with a trainer and grabbed at his elbow for a short while before disappearing down the tunnel.
One inning later, Mark Vientos pinch-hit for Martinez when his turn in the order arrived.
Martinez entered with a .779 OPS and 12 home runs in his first 87 games.
Like most of the club, he has struggled of late and entered play 3-of-24 with 10 strikeouts in his past seven games.