41 Victor Martinez C

Martinez recorded a first-inning infield single Saturday and was removed for a pinch runner in what's expected to wind up as his final major-league at-bat.

V-Mart rolled one through the hole between first and second in the opening inning, and he beat the throw for an infield single before being removed from the game to an ovation from teammates, Royals and attendees. Martinez, 39, has experienced a precipitous power decline in later seasons, leaving the yard just nine times in 2018, but he'll finish a steady and often elite 16-year career with a .295 average, 2,153 hits, 246 homers and 1,178 RBI in 1,972 games.

Martinez will take the final at-bats of his career Saturday against the Royals, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

The Tigers will have seven games remaining after Saturday, but Martinez wants his final at-bats to come in Detroit. With just two games remaining in his 16-year-career, the 39-year-old has posted a career .295/.360/.455 slash line with 246 homers and 2,151 hits.

Martinez is not starting Sunday against Cleveland.

Martinez has just two weeks left in his major-league career after announcing his retirement Saturday. Nick Castellanos will be the Tigers' designated hitter Sunday, with Mikie Mahtook starting in right field.

Martinez is not in the lineup against Houston on Wednesday, Chris McCosky of the Detroit News reports.

Martinez heads to the bench after starting seven of Detroit's past eight contests as Nick Castellanos gets a little breather serving as the club's DH for the series finale. Across 126 games this year, Martinez has hit .247/.295/.348 with nine home runs and 52 RBI.

Martinez is not in the lineup Sunday against the Cardinals, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

The veteran started the past five games, but went hitless in his past two, lowering his season batting average to .249 in the process. Martinez will retreat to the bench for a day off after that showing, allowing Nick Castellanos to replace him at designated hitter and Jim Adduci to enter the lineup to fill the gap.