J.D. Martinez expected to debut Friday for Mets

(Photo credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports)
J.D. Martinez is expected to make his long-awaited New York Mets debut on Friday when the team opens a seven-game homestand against the St. Louis Cardinals.

Signed to a one-year, reported $12 million contract on March 23, Martinez wasn't in spring training with the Mets. He needed time to prepare for the season, then dealt with a back issue.

In a pair of games at Triple