Martinez retired the lone batter he faced in relief and collected his second hold of the season in Sunday's 7-4 win over the Cardinals.
Martinez had made four straight appearances as a starter from Aug. 9 through Aug. 26, but his last two outings have come out of the bullpen. Though the Reds scratched Nick Lodolo (illness) ahead of Tuesday's 12-9 loss to the Blue Jays, Martinez wasn't called upon for a spot start, as Cincinnati instead had Scott Barlow open the contest before he was followed by five other relievers. Cincinnati could consider moving Martinez back into the rotation if Lodolo ends up requiring a stint on the injured list, though the expectation at this time is that Lodolo will be ready to go the next time the Reds need a fifth starter.
Martinez (10-10) allowed four runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out three over 5.1 innings to take the loss Tuesday versus the Dodgers.
In what was likely the last chance to maintain a rotation spot, Martinez didn't put forth a good performance in a tough matchup. He faded in the sixth inning and took his first loss since July 8 versus the Marlins. He's had mixed results in August, allowing 14 runs (13 earned) over 23.1 innings across five appearances (four starts). Martinez is at a 4.67 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 108:36 K:BB through 150.1 innings over 29 outings (26 starts) this year. He'll likely cede his spot in the rotation to Nick Lodolo (finger), who is expected to return from the injured list to start Wednesday's series finale in Los Angeles.
Martinez allowed one run on two hits and one walk while striking out seven batters over six innings in a no-decision against the Angels on Wednesday.
The only run Martinez allowed came on a Yoan Moncada solo homer in the fourth inning. Aside from that, the veteran hurler was sharp, as he allowed just one other batter to reach second base and finished his outing by retiring the final eight hitters he faced. After a brief move to the bullpen in early August, Martinez has started in each of his past three outings, picking up two quality starts in that span (though his other appearance was a dud during which he allowed five earned runs across 2.2 frames). Both Chase Burns (elbow) and Nick Lodolo (finger) are currently on the injured list, but neither is dealing with what's expected to be a long-term absence, so it's unclear if Martinez will get another turn in the rotation.
Martinez did not factor into the decision in Friday's 10-8 loss to the Brewers, allowing six runs (five earned) on nine hits and no walks with one strikeout over 2.2 innings.
Martinez was spotted an early 8-1 lead before giving up five runs in the third inning. He generated just two whiffs on 61 pitches and allowed four extra-base hits, including two homers. It ended a streak of six straight outings with two earned runs or fewer for the 35-year-old, who now owns a 4.73 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 98:33 K:BB across 139 innings (24 starts) this season. With Chase Burns (elbow) hitting the injured list Friday, Martinez should remain in the rotation, lining up for a road matchup with the Angels next week.
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Reds' Nick Martinez: Receiving another start
Rotowire
The Reds list Martinez as their starting pitcher for Friday's series opener versus the Brewers in Cincinnati.
After a brief stint in the bullpen, Martinez moved back into the rotation last week when Nick Lodolo (finger) landed on the injured list. The veteran righty proceeded to deliver a gem in Saturday's win over the Pirates, striking out four over seven innings while allowing just one earned run on four hits and two walks to earn himself another turn through the rotation. With the Reds set to get Hunter Greene (groin) back from the IL to start Wednesday's game against the Phillies and with Martinez receiving another start, rookie Chase Burns appears likely to have his turn in the rotation skipped for at least this week. Manager Terry Francona acknowledged Monday that Burns will be facing some workload restrictions as the season winds down, so the Reds could shift him to the bullpen in order to help manage his innings count while also allowing the team to keep a five-man rotation intact.
Reds' Nick Martinez: Goes seven strong for 10th win
Rotowire
Martinez (10-9) earned the win against the Pirates on Saturday, allowing one run on four hits and two walks with four strikeouts over seven innings.
Martinez allowed a run in the third inning but otherwise kept the Pirates in check, retiring 12 of the final 14 batters he faced. Since giving up 10 runs to the Marlins on July 8, the 35-year-old has gone 4-0 while holding opponents to two earned runs or fewer in six straight outings (five starts). For the season, he owns a 4.49 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 97:33 K:BB across 136.1 innings and will likely shift back to the bullpen with Hunter Greene (groin) expected to return next week.
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Reds' Nick Martinez: Slotting back into rotation
Rotowire
Martinez is slated to start Saturday's' game against the Pirates at PNC Park.
After one appearance out of the bullpen following the acquisition of Zack Littell, Martinez will slot back into the rotation after Cincinnati placed Nick Lodolo (finger) on the injured list Tuesday. Lodolo sustained a blister on his pitching hand Monday, resulting in his early exit while Martinez came on to cover 2.1 innings in relief. The righty tossed 103 pitches and six innings in a July 30 start versus the Dodgers, so he shouldn't be operating with any workload restrictions as he steps back into the rotation.
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