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.
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Reds' Nick Martinez: Hit hard in no-decision
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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: Goes seven strong for 10th win
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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
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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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Reds' Nick Martinez: Could rejoin rotation
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Martinez allowed two earned runs on two hits and no walks in 2.1 innings of relief in Monday's 3-2 win over the Cubs.
After starting in each of his previous seven appearances, Martinez was moved to the bullpen to open up a spot in the rotation for Zack Littell, whom the Reds acquired from the Rays ahead of the trade deadline. Martinez's stay in the bullpen could be a brief one, as he was pressed into action in long relief after starter Nick Lodolo recorded just five outs before exiting with a left index finger blister. Reds manager Terry Francona said after the game that Lodolo is likely to go on the injured list, so Martinez represents a logical choice to replace the southpaw in the rotation the next time his turn comes up this weekend in Pittsburgh. Martinez may be needed for just one start, as Cincinnati could get ace Hunter Greene (groin) back from the IL as soon as next week.
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Reds' Nick Martinez: Headed to bullpen
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President of baseball operations Nick Krall said Wednesday that Martinez will move to the bullpen after the Reds acquired Zack Littell from the Rays earlier in the day, Charlie Goldsmith of Fox 19 Now Cincinnati reports.
The Reds aren't yet ready to remove prized rookie Chase Burns from the rotation, and the addition of Littell plus the pending return of Hunter Greene (groin) from the injured list at some point in August left Martinez on the outside looking in for a starting role. Aside from a disastrous outing July 8 against Miami in which he allowed 10 earned runs, Martinez had covered at least five innings while giving up no more than four runs in any of his last seven starts. The right-hander has ample experience working out of the bullpen, and he should be able to improve upon his 11.9 percent strikeout rate -- down more than five percentage points from 2024 -- as he transitions to relief. Martinez will likely handle a versatile role out of the bullpen that includes both multi-inning mop-up duty and higher-leverage late-inning work in front of closer Emilio Pagan.
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Reds' Nick Martinez: Fans seven in six strong innings
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Martinez didn't factor into the decision Wednesday against the Dodgers, allowing two runs on four hits and two walks in six innings. He struck out seven.
Martinez was able to pitch at least six frames Wednesday for the first time in his last five starts, and the seven punchouts represented his highest total since his April 29 outing in San Francisco. The 34-year-old right-hander also tossed at least five frames while yielding two runs or fewer in his fourth straight appearance. Martinez owns a 4.64 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 93:31 K:BB over 127 innings this year, and he'll have his work cut out for him against the Cubs at Wrigley Field in his next scheduled start.
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Reds' Nick Martinez: Secures another win Saturday
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Martinez (8-9) picked up the win in Saturday's 5-2 victory over the Mets, giving up two runs on six hits and two walks over five innings. He struck out five.
The right-hander tossed 60 of 90 pitches for strikes en route to his fourth win in his last five starts. Unfortunately for his ERA, the fifth outing was a 10-run disaster against the Marlins on July 8. Martinez will carry a 4.73 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 81:27 K:BB through 116 innings into his next trip to the mound, which lines up to come at home next weekend against the Rays.
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Reds' Nick Martinez: Bounces back with strong start
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Martinez (7-9) earned the win Sunday, allowing two runs on five hits and one walk over 5.1 innings while striking out three in a 4-2 victory over the Rockies.
Coming off his worst start of the season, Martinez rebounded with a more composed outing Sunday, retiring the first six Rockies he faced before allowing both his runs on a Mickey Moniak single in the third. Martinez managed to work into the sixth, where he departed after allowing a pair of baserunners. With this bounce-back performance, the right-hander now holds a 4.78 ERA, 1.21 WHIP with 76 strikeouts over 111 innings this season.
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Reds' Nick Martinez: Blasted for 10 runs
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Martinez (6-9) yielded 10 runs on seven hits and three walks over five-plus innings Tuesday, striking out two and taking a loss against Miami.
Martinez delivered two scoreless frames before the Marlins piled up seven runs in a nightmare third inning. He settled back in before more struggles in the sixth; Martinez put three straight runners on base without recording an out and was charged with all three runs after he was removed from the game. He briefly moved to a bullpen role after allowing seven runs against the Twins on June 19 and has since given up 15 runs over 22.2 innings (5.96 ERA). Martinez's ERA has jumped from 3.48 to 4.85 since the start of June, and he's currently expected to face the Rockies at home this weekend. Martinez could be in danger of being moved to the bullpen again sometime after the All-Star break when Hunter Greene (groin) or Rhett Lowder (forearm) come back from the injured list.
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Reds' Nick Martinez: Makes traditional relief appearnce
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Martinez struck out one over a scoreless seventh inning to earn a hold in Monday's 6-1 win over the Yankees.
Martinez, who opened the season in the Reds' rotation, made a second consecutive appearance as a reliever. He served as a bulk-inning reliever in a bullpen game Saturday, while Monday's outing was a traditional relief appearance. Martinez is scheduled to start Friday against the Padres, but he may not be long for the rotation. The organization has prospect Chase Burns going Tuesday, and at some point, Hunter Greene (groin) and Rhett Lowder (forearm) will return. This could be the start of Martinez transitioning to the bullpen.
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Reds' Nick Martinez: Clean outing as reliever
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Martinez threw two perfect innings with no strikeouts Saturday against the Cardinals.
The right-hander followed opener Brent Suter -- who gave up two runs over two innings -- as the second arm in a bullpen game. Martinez had started in his first 15 appearances this season, but after failing to escape the third inning in his last outing Thursday, the Reds opted to shift him to a relief role. The veteran has struggled since the start of June, posting a 7.52 ERA and 1.67 WHIP over 20.1 innings.
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Reds' Nick Martinez: Picks up first win
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Martinez (1-3) yielded one run on five hits and two walks over six innings Monday, striking out three and earning a win over the Cardinals.
Martinez coughed up an RBI double to Nolan Arenado in the first inning but settled in for his first quality start and win of the 2025 campaign. Martinez was fairly efficient, throwing 76 pitches (45 strikes) and generating three double plays. He dropped his ERA to 4.68 alongside a 26:11 K:BB through 32.2 frames. Martinez is lined up for a home start against Washington this weekend.
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Reds' Nick Martinez: Falls short of quality start
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Martinez did not factor in the decision during Tuesday's loss to Miami. He allowed two runs on five hits and two walks over 5.2 innings while striking out four.
Martinez gave up a run in the first inning but settled in for four scoreless frames before Agustin Ramirez ended his night with an RBI double in the sixth. Martinez was removed just before producing a quality start despite throwing only 79 pitches (46 strikes). He produced a season-high 14 whiffs but has now failed to complete six innings in four straight outings. Martinez owns a 5.40 ERA with a 23:9 K:BB through 26.2 innings. He's lined up for a home matchup against the Cardinals next week.
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Reds' Nick Martinez: Shaky command in Friday's loss
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Martinez (0-2) took the loss Friday, giving up three runs on five hits and two walks over 4.2 innings as the Reds fell 3-2 to the Brewers. He struck out two.
While the right-hander's final line didn't look too bad, Martinez couldn't seem to put the ball quite where he wanted. He needed 92 pitches (51 strikes) to record his 14 outs, and when he did get the ball over the plate it tended to be right down the middle -- a tendency he paid for in the fifth inning, when light-hitting Brice Turang crushed a cutter 418 feet to right-center field. Martinez will carry a 5.91 ERA and 7:3 K:BB through 10.2 innings into his next start, which is scheduled to come on the road next week in San Francisco.
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Reds' Nick Martinez: Allows two homers in loss
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Martinez (0-1) took the loss against the Giants on Sunday, allowing four runs on four hits and one walk with five strikeouts over six innings.
Martinez was locked in a pitcher's duel with Robbie Ray through four innings but gave up two homers and four runs in his final two frames. He generated just seven whiffs but threw 54 of 83 pitches for strikes while mixing in six different offerings. The 34-year-old posted a solid 3.10 ERA and 1.03 WHIP over 142.1 innings in 2024 and holds added value in fantasy leagues with dual eligibility as both a starting pitcher and relief pitcher.
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Reds' Nick Martinez: Accepting qualifying offer
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Martinez accepted the Reds' $21.05 million qualifying offer for 2025 on Sunday, Francys Romero of BeisbolFR.com reports.
The right-hander declined his $12 million player option with the Reds for 2025, but he'll remain with the organization after being extended the qualifying offer. Martinez started in 16 of his 42 appearances in 2024 and had a 3.10 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 116:18 K:BB across 142.1 innings. Given the salary bump he should begin 2025 working exclusively as a starter.
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Nick Martinez: Expected to accept qualifying offer
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Martinez is expected to accept the Reds' one-year, $21.05 million qualifying offer, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.
Martinez being extended a qualifying offer came as a bit of a surprise, and it sounds like the right-hander will happily accept the deal and return to Cincinnati. He held a 3.10 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 116:18 K:BB over 142.1 innings for the Reds this year before declining his $12 million player option for 2025. Martinez split time between the rotation and bullpen for Cincinnati but would figure to be a full-time starter if he does indeed return to the Reds.
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Nick Martinez: Extended qualifying offer
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The Reds extended a one-year, $21.05 million qualifying offer to Martinez on Monday, Gordon Wittenmyer of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.
Wittenmyer hears that, before the offer was extended, the two sides engaged in talks regarding a multi-year extension "without gaining much traction." Martinez declined a $12 million player option last week after posting a 3.10 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 116:18 K:BB over 142.1 innings in 2024. He could surely get more in total dollars on the open market, but locking in a $21.05 million salary for 2025 might be tempting for Martinez. If he rejects it, the Reds would receive a draft pick if the righty signs elsewhere.
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Reds' Nick Martinez: Expected to opt out
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Martinez is expected to exercise his option to opt out of his $12 million contract for 2025, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.
Martinez finished the season on a high note and did well overall in a hybrid starter/reliever role with Cincinnati. The Reds still can make a one-year qualifying offer for $21 million, but it's a good bet that Martinez will try to test the market and land a multi-year deal.
