55 Russell Martin C

Martin was placed on the paternity list Tuesday, Hazel Mae of Sportsnet reports.

Martin is unlikely to lose much playing time as a result of the move, as he's played just twice in September. The Blue Jays are preferring to give at-bats to younger players, a trend which will continue even after Martin's return.

Manager John Gibbons said Martin will not play "all that much down the stretch" as the club integrates younger players into the lineup during the final month of the 2018 season, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

This shouldn't come as a major surprise considering Martin has only played in two games dating back to Aug. 31. Danny Jansen will continue to receive a majority of the starts behind the plate while Reese McGuire will likely see an expanded role. In addition, the plethora of young infielders will take precedent instead of Martin getting the occasional start at third base. Looking ahead, Martin remains under contract for the 2019 campaign, but is staring at a backup role behind Jansen barring any changes.

Martin is out of the lineup Sunday against the Marlins.

Martin will head to the bench for the third time in five games and no longer looks to be in line for regular starts at catcher or third base, where Danny Jansen and Aledmys Diaz, respectively, have emerged as the top options at those positions. Since Martin is still under contract through 2019, he likely won't be phased out entirely, but expect the Blue Jays to nonetheless prioritize at-bats for their younger players over the final few weeks of the campaign.

Martin will start at third base and bat leadoff Sunday against the Yankees, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.

With a glut of infielders on the disabled list, the Blue Jays have settled on Martin as their primary third baseman, with the 35-year-old set to make his fifth start in eight games at the position. Toronto should soon get some reinforcement at the hot corner with Josh Donaldson (calf) nearing a return from the DL, at which point Martin will likely resume seeing most of his work behind the plate.

Martin is on the bench for the fifth time in the last nine games Tuesday against the Red Sox.

Luke Maile has been preferred to Martin six of the last nine games behind the plate. (Martin has also started once at third base.) With the Blue Jays well out of the playoff picture, it makes sense that the team wouldn't feel the need to give the 35-year-old regular at-bats, preferring to give playing time to younger players. Martin is still under contract for $20 million in 2019, however, so the team won't be moving on from him entirely.