Fernando Martinez is officially no longer with the Mets.
The one-time top prospect was claimed off waivers by the Astros yesterday. Although multiple teams put in claims for the 23-year-old, Houston, with the worst record in the league last season, got the outfielder.
Martinez was a huge disappointment for the Mets, who viewed him as a potential star. But an inability to stay healthy, as well as a lack of conditioning, plagued him.
A year ago, he lasted 11 games with the Mets, hitting .227 with a homer and 2 RBIs. And he played in 63 games in the minors, in part due to an arthritic knee.
The move to cut Martinez loose was prompted by a need to cut two players from the 40-man roster after the signings of Scott Hairston and Ronny Cedeno. Lefty reliever Daniel Herrera, who was also put on waivers but went unclaimed, will be sent to Triple-A Buffalo.
Martinez will have to remain on Houston’s 40-man roster, but he has options left, so the Astros can send him to the minors if he doesn’t make the team out of spring training.


