Martinez (1-4) was saddled with the loss after giving up three earned runs on 10 hits while striking out five batters in six innings Friday against the Astros. He did not issue a walk.
It's somewhat impressive that Martinez was able to deliver a quality start despite allowing 10 base hits, but a lack of run support from the Reds' bats led to the 34-year-old taking his fourth loss in eight starts this year. The good news is that he'll have a strong chance to bounce back in his next start while facing a White Sox team that ranks last in the majors with a .614 OPS.
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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: Makes second spring outing
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Martinez allowed one walk and struck out three over two scoreless relief innings in Saturday's spring game against San Diego.
Like in his first spring outing, Martinez cruised during his second Cactus League appearance. He's allowed two hits and a walk with six strikeouts through four innings. Martinez entered after starter Brady Singer, but nothing should be read into that. Martinez is projected for a rotation spot.
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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.
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Reds' Nick Martinez: Goes eight innings in loss
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Martinez (10-7) took the loss Friday against the Cubs, allowing one run on five hits over eight innings. He struck out three without issuing a walk.
Martinez was excellent again Friday, allowing a lone fifth-inning run on a Miguel Amaya sacrifice fly. However, the right-hander would wind up with his first loss since Aug. 16 as the Reds couldn't crack Jameson Taillon in an eventual 1-0 defeat. Despite the unfortunate finish, Martinez was spectacular down the stretch, allowing just four earned runs over 32.2 innings in his final five outings. He'll wrap up the year with a 3.10 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 116:18 K:BB across 142.1 innings.
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Reds' Nick Martinez: Four straight wins
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Martinez (10-6) earned the win Friday over the Pirates, allowing just two hits across six scoreless innings. He struck out nine.
Martinez was excellent Friday, recording a season-high nine strikeouts. The right-hander has now won four consecutive starts, allowing just two earned runs across 24.2 innings in that span. Martinez's ERA is down to 3.22 this season with a 1.05 WHIP and 113:18 K:BB across 134.1 innings. Martinez is currently in line for a road matchup with the Cubs next week, as he'll look to wrap up a strong finish to the season.
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Reds' Nick Martinez: Picks up ninth win
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Martinez (9-6) earned the win Saturday against the Twins, pitching six innings and allowing one run on three hits. He struck out six and did not issue a walk.
Martinez stayed hot on the mound with another impressive showing and lowered his ERA to 3.37 for the season. Martinez shut down Atlanta with seven scoreless innings in his last start, and he's now won three consecutive starts. The veteran right-hander was moved into the rotation Aug. 5 and has earned his spot by allowing one run or fewer in six of his nine starts in that span.
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Reds' Nick Martinez: Shuts down Atlanta in win
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Martinez (8-6) got the win Wednesday against Atlanta, allowing two hits and one walk over seven scoreless innings. He struck out five.
Martinez pitched a gem Monday as he continues to settle into his new role in the rotation. Even though he had started sparingly earlier in the season, Martinez has now received eight straight starts and is pitching to a 3.12 ERA over that span. The 34-year-old veteran threw his fourth career start of seven or more innings without allowing a run, and two of those have come over his last eight starts.
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Reds' Nick Martinez: Decent in abbreviated start
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Martinez didn't factor into the decision Sunday against Pittsburgh, allowing two runs (one earned) on five hits and no walks with a strikeout over three innings.
Martinez didn't come out for the fourth inning as he handed the ball off to Carson Spiers -- who threw four innings of relief -- after just 54 pitches. Sunday's outing was Martinez's fifth straight start, and it's unclear why his appearance was cut short. During that five-start stretch, Martinez has posted a 3.55 ERA with a 20:3 K:BB. If he pitches on regular rest, Martinez would likely match up against the Brewers next weekend. However, after tossing merely three innings, he could be available to pitch earlier if he's needed.
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Reds' Nick Martinez: Hit hard in no-decision
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Martinez came away with a no-decision in Wednesday's 11-7 win over the Blue Jays, coughing up six runs on six hits and three walks over 4.1 innings. He struck out three.
All the damage off the right-hander came as a result of home runs, as George Springer and Spencer Horwitz took Martinez deep in the first inning before Ernie Clement launched a three-run shot in the third. It was the first time all season Martinez has served up multiple long balls in a game, and the first time he's been tagged for more than three runs since May 22. Since returning to the rotation in early August, the 34-year-old has posted a 3.63 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 19:3 K:BB through 22.1 innings, and he'll look to bounce back in his next start, which lines up to come at home early next week against the A's.
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Reds' Nick Martinez: Picks up fourth win
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Martinez (4-5) allowed one hit over two scoreless innings to earn the victory Friday against the Rays. He struck out two.
Martinez entered a tie game in the eighth inning and shut down the Rays until the Reds took the lead in the top of the 10th. He has two wins in his last four appearances, and all four of his wins this season have come in relief after he began the year in the rotation. The 33-year-old has a 3.77 ERA in 74 innings in a swingman role for the Reds this season.
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Reds' Nick Martinez: Cincinnati-Atlanta postponed
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Martinez and Cincinnati won't face Atlanta in the final contest of Wednesday's doubleheader after the game was postponed due to inclement weather.
Martinez was initially scheduled to start Tuesday. However, rainouts on consecutive days will keep him from making his first start since May 22. With an off day on tap Thursday, the Reds will likely elect to skip Martinez's turn in the rotation until a fifth starter is next needed July 30 versus the Cubs. The Reds could get Carson Spiers (shoulder) back from the injured list to start that game, in which case Martinez would likely continue to work out of the bullpen.
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Reds' Nick Martinez: Takes loss as primary pitcher
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Martinez (2-4) was the losing pitcher in Tuesday's 5-3 loss to the Guardians. He allowed three runs on four hits and one walk while striking out two over 1.2 innings.
The last two times Martinez was used in a bullpen game, he had authored 9.1 scoreless innings (both against the Dodgers), but it wouldn't be the same Tuesday. He followed opener Brent Suter and, initially, it looked like Martinez would last longer than five outs. The right-hander needed just six pitches in a 1-2-3 second inning, but the bottom third of Cleveland's lineup got to him in the third. He issued a 10-pitch walk to Brayan Rocchio leading off the inning, followed by a double and a nine-pitch Steven Kwan single that produced two runs. Two more singles plated a third run, and Martinez was done after 39 pitches.
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Reds' Nick Martinez: Should work behind Suter on Tuesday
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Martinez is expected to operate as a primary pitcher out of the bullpen behind opener Brett Suter in Tuesday's game against the Guardians, Greg Kuffner of SI.com reports.
Martinez looks poised to fill the open spot in the rotation that was created when Graham Ashcraft was optioned to Triple-A Louisville on Thursday. Though he's previously made five starts this season, Martinez has been roughed up by opposing hitters to the tune of a .348/.378/.527 slash line across 25.2 innings. Martinez has been far more effective when working in relief (.141/.158/.239 opponent's slash line in 26.2 innings), so the Reds will keep him in the bullpen Tuesday with the hope of coaxing better results from him. The right-hander should be capable of offering plenty of length behind Suter, as he hasn't pitched since Friday, when he needed just 11 pitches to retire the side during an appearance against the Cubs.
