JD Martinez of the Mets is ready to pitch first for NLCS vs. Dodgers

JD Martinez appears ready to get his first taste of the NLCS on Wednesday when the series moves to Queens, Mets manager Carlos Mendoza announced Tuesday.

“There’s a good chance he’ll be on the roster tomorrow,” Mendoza revealed during the Mets practice at Citi Field. “He is a professional hitter and means a lot to this team and this lineup. His presence – like I said, whenever he's there – also makes us a better team. So yes, he will continue to be a big part of the team in the future.”

Martinez split time with left-hander Jesse Winker in the postseason, and Mendoza elected to take over at the trade deadline in the first two games of the series against the Dodgers.

Martinez, who hit a brutal .109 in his final 16 regular-season games, has fared well in his limited time this postseason, recording four hits and three RBIs in 14 at-bats for the Mets, who went 1-1 -Draw return to Citi Field. 1 with the Dodgers in the NLCS.

Beyond this year's postseason, Martinez has proven to be a valuable asset in the lineup during the playoffs in his time with the Tigers, Diamondbacks, Red Sox and Dodgers.

During his playoff career, he posted a .293/.385/.556 slash line and hit 10 home runs in 39 games.

Martinez, who spent last season with the Dodgers, was described by Los Angeles manager Dave Roberts as a “hit whisperer” and was said to have helped mentor Mookie Betts.

“Hopefully he doesn't give away too many trade secrets, and I'm sure he will, as we think on the beat side,” Roberts said Tuesday. “He is a batting expert. He loves the game. He is obsessed with hitting. Not the best base runner, but he likes to hit. And he just inspires respect. He won. He is very likeable. He cares. So that was obviously a big get for the Mets. And he helped, I’m sure, in a lot of ways that people just don’t realize.”

Martinez signed a one-year, $12 million contract with the Mets in March, and on Wednesday Mendoza called it a “privilege” to have a spirit like his in the clubhouse.

“JD was hugely important to us as a team,” Mendoza said. “Great guy in this clubhouse, not just because of the offensive team, but the experience and the way he sees the game and the way he prepares, and a special guy.”