Martin is absent from the lineup for Friday's game against the Cardinals.
The right-handed-hitting Martin could be losing his grip on a regular role against right-handed pitching. He's now been left out of the starting nine twice in the Twins' last three matchups with righties, and in the game he did start, he batted ninth. Martin is slashing an ugly .138/.219/.207 over his last 25 contests. Kody Clemens will cover right field for Minnesota on Friday.