Cincinnati Reds pitcher Nick Martinez accepted the team's qualifying offer of $21.05 million, returning to the team for a second season. Martinez made a handful of starts in the first month of the season in 2024, but worked almost exclusively out of the bullpen until August when he returned to the rotation. The 34-year-old had stronger numbers overall in 53 1/3 IP as a reliever (1.86 ERA, 0.86 WHIP, 19.6 K-BB%) than in 89 IP as a starter (3.84 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, 15.8% K-BB%), however, as a starter in September the righty went 4-1 with a 0.83 ERA, 0.67 WHIP, and a 21.8% K-BB% which led to being named MLB's N.L. Pitcher of the Month. Fantasy managers should take note in the spring as to whether or not the Reds plan to use him as a starter again as he could be a potential late-round value if he were able to take that momentum into 2025.

Free-agent right-handed pitcher Nick Martinez is expected to accept the Cincinnati Reds' qualifying offer worth $21.05 million, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post. This past summer, Martinez logged a career-high 142 1/3 innings and is now expected to return to Cincinnati. Last summer, the right-hander held a strong 3.10 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, and a 18:116 BB:K. The 34-year-old posted a stellar 3.2% walk rate, 5.1% barrel rate, and a 30.5% hard-hit rate, which were among the highest marks among qualified pitchers last season. Seeing Martinez show great command as a starter makes him an intriguing option later in drafts this offseason, especially if you are looking to boost your team's WHIP ratio.

The Cincinnati Reds extended a $21.05 million qualifying offer to free-agent right-hander Nick Martinez on Monday, according to sources. He already declined a $12 million player option last week. Martinez and the Reds actually discussed a multi-year contract extension before this point, but neither side could agree to anything, and now the 34-year-old veteran swingman is on the open market. If Martinez rejects the offer and signs with another club this winter, the Reds will receive draft-pick compensation. He had a great first season in Cincy in 2024, going 10-7 with a career-best 3.10 ERA (3.21 FIP), a 1.03 WHIP and a career-high 116 strikeouts in 142 1/3 innings over 42 appearances (16 starts). Martinez might see plenty of money on the open market given his versatility, but it also wouldn't be a surprise if he accepted the one-year qualifying offer to stay with the Reds.

Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Nick Martinez opted out of his contract and will test free agency according to Mark Sheldon of MLB.com. Martinez is coming off the best season of his seven-year MLB career where he held a solid 3.10 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, with a 18:116 BB:K ratio. Martinez was deployed as both a starter and reliever but took significant strides this summer. He showcased elite command with a 3.2% walk rate and was able to limit hard contact at a strong 30.5% hard-hit rate and 5.1% barrel rate. Martinez will likely continue to operate as a back-end starter and could be worth a look in deeper formats this upcoming season given his progression.

Cincinnati Reds right-hander Nick Martinez, who is scheduled to make $12 million next year if he doesn't opt out of his contract, is expected to opt out and hit the free-agent market. Right-hander Emilio Pagan is also expected to opt out and become a free agent. Martinez appeared in 42 games (16 starts) in his first season with the Reds and finished the season in the starting rotation and was the National League Pitcher of the Month for September after going 4-1 with an 0.83 ERA in five starts in September. When/if Martinez opts out, the Reds will have the option of making him a qualifying offer of one year and roughly $21 million for 2025. If the Reds offer it and Martinez rejects, the Reds will receive an extra draft pick as compensation. The 34-year-old was solid in 142 1/3 innings for the Reds, posting a 3.10 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and a 116:18 K:BB in his hybrid starter/receiver role.

Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Nick Martinez turned in his best start of the season on Saturday as he tossed seven innings of one-hit ball while striking out seven. The lone hit came in the fourth inning off designated hitter Gary Sanchez. Martinez tossed five shutout innings in his last start and may have begun to turn the corner as a full-time starter. The 34-year-old has bounced between a starting role and a relief role this season and has held a 3.16 ERA and a 1.03 WHIP, with a 10:75 BB:K ratio. Under the hood, he carries an excellent 29.3% hard-hit rate and a 3.8% barrel rate, which could suggest he could continue to enjoy a nice second half. Martinez could be worth adding in all leagues if he continues this impressive run.

Cincinnati Reds right-hander Nick Martinez will make the start on Monday versus the hosting Miami Marlins. This will be Martinez's first actual start for the Reds since May 22, but he did throw four innings as the team's bulk reliever last Tuesday against the division-rival Chicago Cubs. The 34-year-old veteran tossed an inning of relief on Friday against the San Francisco Giants. Fantasy managers should expect Martinez to be able to go a few innings in this one, but even with the excellent matchup against the Fish, he's not going to have much upside with a limited workload expected. In a small sample size of just five starts in his first year in Cincy, Martinez hasn't been very good, yielding a 7.36 ERA with 17 strikeouts and four walks in 25 2/3 innings pitched.

Cincinnati Reds right-hander Nick Martinez is scheduled to make the start on Tuesday on the road in Atlanta against the Braves. While Martinez should go more than one inning, fantasy managers shouldn't expect him to be a realistic streamer, considering he hasn't started a game since May. The 33-year-old veteran hasn't gone more than three innings in any of his outings since May 26, when he went 4 1/3 frames against the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Braves aren't as scary as a matchup as they were earlier this season, but Martinez still won't be a recommended streamer for this one. In his first year in Cincinnati, he's gone 3-5 with a 3.88 ERA (3.13 FIP) and 1.12 WHIP with a weak 18.9% strikeout rate, his lowest mark since 2017.

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.

Free-agent right-hander Nick Martinez and the Cincinnati Reds are in agreement on a two-year, $26 million deal on Thursday that includes an opt-out clause after the first year, according to sources. The 33-year-old opted out of the last two years and $16 million of his deal with the San Diego Padres this offseason to reach the open market. Martinez went 10-8 over the last two years with the Friars while posting a 3.45 ERA (4.17 FIP), 1.27 WHIP, nine saves, 81 walks and 201 strikeouts over 110 outings (19 starts) and 216 2/3 innings. He wasn't all that effective as a closer in San Diego, but he did have 23 holds and should work as a useful swing man in Cincinnati with the back end of the bullpen already locked down with Alexis Diaz and recent signing Emilio Pagan.

San Diego Padres right-hander Nick Martinez and the Padres declined their respective options for the 2024 campaign over the weekend, making him a free agent this offseason. The Padres had $16 million options on Martinez for the next two years, while Martinez had an $8 million player option. The 33-year-old swingman will look for a more lucrative contract on the open market this winter after going 6-4 with a career-best 3.43 ERA (3.92 FIP), 1.26 WHIP, one save, 15 holds, 40 walks and a career-high 106 strikeouts in 110 1/3 innings over a career-high 63 appearances (nine starts) in his second year in San Diego. Martinez will likely look for a starting role on the open market, but if that falls through, he'll be plenty attractive in a multi-inning relief role.

San Diego Padres starting pitcher Nick Martinez didn't need to shake off any rust during his Cactus League debut on Friday. The right-hander tossed two scoreless innings in what ended up being a loss to the Seattle Mariners. Martinez allowed three hits, but struck out four batters during his brief time on the mound. The 32-year-old was a swingman last season, but is expected to be a full-time starter to begin the 2023 season. He's certainly off to a strong start, but we'll see if his arm can hold up for the full length of a season in the rotation.

San Diego Padres manager Bob Melvin said that right-hander Nick Martinez will start the team's Cactus League opener in spring training on Friday. Although Martinez only made 10 starts in 47 appearances for the Padres last year, he's expected to open the 2023 campaign at the back end of the team's starting rotation. In his 47 outings last year, he went 4-4 with a career-best 3.47 ERA (4.43 FIP), 1.29 WHIP, his first eight saves and 95 strikeouts in 106 1/3 innings pitched. The 32-year-old was more effective as a reliever, although he could shift back to that role eventually this season. In deeper mixed leagues, Martinez isn't a bad flier as rotation depth, but he might have more fantasy appeal in a relief role.

San Diego Padres pitcher Nick Martinez will pitch for Team USA at the World Baseball Classic as a starter, per MLB.com's AJ Cassavell. Martinez initially withdrew from the WBC because he would have served as a reliever but signed a three-year deal with the Padres this off-season with the intent of being a starter. However, several spots have now opened up on the roster, so Martinez will rejoin Team USA. The 32-year-old had a breakout 2022 season, making 10 starts and 47 appearances with a 4-4 record and eight saves to go with a 3.47 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, and 21.2% strikeout rate. He does own a career 4.50 ERA and his role still remains to be seen, but Martinez could be an interesting late-round fantasy pick in deeper leagues if he does earn a spot in the Padres' rotation and can carry his success into 2023.

The San Diego Padres officially re-signed right-hander Nick Martinez to a three-year, $26 million deal on Wednesday. Martinez hit the open market when he declined his $6.5 million option for the 2023 season last week, but the two sides quickly worked to bring him back in 2023 and beyond. The 32-year-old opened the year in the Friars' rotation, but eventually moved to a relief role, where he was much more effective. Martinez even filled in as the closer when lefty Josh Hader was struggling, earning eight saves. He finished with a 3.47 ERA (4.43 FIP), a 1.29 WHIP, 95 strikeouts and 41 walks in 106 1/3 innings over 47 appearances (10 starts). There's a good chance that Martinez will open the 2023 campaign in the starting rotation, which gives him much more fantasy appeal for his strikeout upside.

Free-agent pitcher Nick Martinez is reportedly returning to the San Diego Padres after opting out of his contract with the team to start the offseason, per NY Post's Jon Heyman. Both sides agreed Tuesday, but details were not disclosed. The 32-year-old played a large part in both the starting rotation and out of the bullpen for the Padres in 2022, pitching 106 1/3 innings over 47 appearances (10 starts) with a 3.47 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, 21.2% strikeout rate, four wins, eight saves and eight holds. His ability to deliver in tight spots was showcased during the playoffs, and while his hybrid role will be useful for the Padres, it does limit his fantasy value.