Nick Martinez's Stats, Metrics, Game Logs, Projections & Rankings
Player profile
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HT/WT6' 1'' , 200 lbs
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Birthdate08/05/1990 (34)
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CollegeFordham
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Draft InfoUndrafted
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StatusInactive
Cincinnati Reds right-hander Nick Martinez won't make a start for the team in its upcoming three-game series against the Chicago White Sox. The veteran had his third start of the season skipped due to a rainout on Thursday but will not get into any game action this weekend. The first two starts of his Reds tenure have not gone to plan as Martinez has yielded eight earned runs on 14 hits, including a homer, across 10 innings of work. He has only walked two in that time, however, and has punched out nine. The 33-year-old earned a two-year, $26 million contract from the Reds this winter after a successful return to the big leagues with the Padres over the last two seasons, most recently working to a 3.43 ERA across 63 outings (nine starts) in the 2023 campaign.
Cincinnati Reds manager David Bell said that right-hander Nick Martinez (ribs) is locked into a starting rotation spot to begin the year, along with Frankie Montas, Hunter Greene and Graham Ashcraft. The fifth spot is down to Andrew Abbott and Brandon Williamson (shoulder). Martinez has been dealing with a rib issue in camp, but he was able to throw a simulated game over the weekend and should be ready for Opening Day on March 28. The 33-year-old has started 87 of the 198 games that he's appeared in in the big leagues in six seasons, and he's been more effective in his career in a relief role. Moving back to the bullpen is still an option once lefty Nick Lodolo (leg) makes his 2024 debut, which makes Martinez more of an NL-only asset in his first year with the Reds.
Cincinnati Reds pitcher Nick Martinez (ribs) threw a live batting practice session on Saturday. The right-hander threw three innings of a simulated game as he works his way back to full health. The plan is for Martinez to build his way back up into being a starting pitcher. The 33-year-old could end up turning into a swingman type of role depending on how the rest of the rotation shakes out in Cincinnati. At the moment, Martinez isn't a very appealing option heading into fantasy drafts. However, it sounds like the right-hander is making good progress in his recovery.
Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Nick Martinez pitched a gem before rain forced the cancellation of the Reds-Dodgers Cactus League matchup on Friday. Martinez tossed four perfect innings, allowing no hits and no walks while striking out six batters. It was a very bright spot for the Reds on a day that started very cloudy with the suspension of Noelvi Marte. Going into Friday's game, the 33-year-old had thrown five spring innings, allowing just two hits, one run (zero earned), and one walk while striking out seven. Right now Martinez is projected as the fifth starter in the Cincinnati rotation and he's stated he wants to be a starter. It appears he's making a strong case, but until that's a certainty it'd be tough to recommend him for fantasy.
Cincinnati Reds right-hander Nick Martinez can fill pretty much any pitching role, but he signed a two-year, $26 million deal with the Reds in December with the aim to be a starter. Right now, the team has 10 pitchers competing for five rotation spots, so there's no guarantee Martinez will open the year in the rotation. If he's not starting, he'll be expected to protect leads in a late-inning, high-leverage role out of the bullpen. The 33-year-old served as a swingman for the Padres the last two years, going 6-4 with a 3.43 ERA in a team-high 63 outings (110 1/3 innings) in 2023. Martinez had a 2.32 ERA over 42 2/3 innings in nine starts, and he was excellent at inducing weak contact. Because his role is unclear, it makes him difficult to recommend in fantasy drafts, but we can't argue against how effective he's been in recent seasons.