Mysterious Bacteria Threatens Leonys Martin's Life

Leonys Martin was in the Cleveland Indians lineup on Tuesday night.  By Wendesday he was in the hospital fighting for his life.

A unidentified bacteria entered the 31-year old outfielders bloodstream and attacked his vital organs putting him in a life threatening situation.  The Indians placed him on the 10-day disabled list but Martin remains in the Cleveland Clinic.

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"He is currently in stable condition and continues to get treatment," said Cleveland general manager Chris Antonetti, who addressed the team first then the media after getting permission from Martin's wife, Yaimira.  "He had a bacteria infection that entered his bloodstream.  When it entered his bloodstream it produced toxins.  The toxins did damage to his internal organs.  The function of those organs were compromised. It was severe.  Thankfully he has made a lot of progress in his last 24-36 hours.  He has regained a lot of his organ functions.  He will have a long path to get back to full health and it will take him some time."

"The care that he got from the Cleveland Clinic was extraordinary," Antonetti said. "Without their Hurculean effort we may be in a different spot today."

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The disease is not believed to be communicable but it is not known how the bacteria entered his system or exactly how the bacteria entered Martin's body.

Martin played the game Tuesday night and felt sick in the middle of the night.  The next morning when he woke up he still felt sick.

"We took him to the hospital and things progressed from there," Antonetti said.  "It was widespread and it was very serious."

It is unclear whether Martin will play again this year and it is not the Indians' priority.

"We haven't thought about baseball yet," Antonetti said.  "I don't know if he will play baseball this year.  Our first focus is to make sure we get him back to full health.  His wife, dad and his brother are with him now."

"He is able to communicate.  He was able to sit in a chair for a few hours yesterday," Antonetti said. "He is a better spot today than he was yesterday."

Martin began the season with the Detroit Tigers but the Indians made a deal for his services along with RHP Kyle Dowdy for the Indians' hitting prospect Willi Castro at the July 31, trade deadline.