Report: Canadian Russell Martin expected to play in 2020

Los Angeles Dodgers' Russell Martin watches his solo home run off Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Kyle Freeland during the second inning on Tuesday, July 30, 2019, in Denver. (David Zalubowski / AP)

Sportsnet Staff November 6, 2019, 12:17 PM

Canadian catcher Russell Martin plans to play in 2020, according to MLB Network’s Jon Heyman, returning for what will be the 36-year-old’s 15th MLB season.

Russell Martin, 36, is working out already and plans to return for a 15th season next year. There had been some retirement speculation but he remains hungry. In his 14 seasons he’s played for 10 postseason teams but has yet to play for a World Series winner.

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) November 6, 2019

Martin spent the 2019 season with the Los Angeles Dodgers after an off-season trade from the Toronto Blue Jays, where he had been from 2015-18. The Montreal native slashed .220/.337/.330 with six home runs and 20 RBI in 83 games for the Dodgers last season.

Martin is a free agent as the five-year, $82-million contract he signed with the Blue Jays in November 2014 has now expired. Martin played a key role in the Blue Jays’ post-season runs of 2015 and 2016, helping to lead the team to back-to-back ALCS berths and earning one of four career all-star nods in 2015.

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