J.D. Martinez has informed the Boston Red Sox that he is opting back into his contract with the club for the third straight year.

Martinez could have elected to become a free agent.

He is set to earn $19.375 million in the final season of his contract.

"You learn over time in this game not to be too surprised by anything. Certainly happy he's [back] with us," said Red Sox chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom. "He's such a force in the lineup, not only what he produces but how he transforms what the lineup looks like around him and how he changes the conversation in the cage, the preparation before games. So we're very excited he's back with us."