Justin Martinez - MLB News, Rumors, & Updates

Enters in seventh inning Martinez allowed one run on three hits and one walk while striking out two over 1.1 innings in Wednesday's 8-2 win over the Giants.

Impact The Diamondbacks were up, 5-1, when manager Torey Lovullo had Martinez enter the contest to open the seventh inning. He allowed the first two batters to reach but managed to wriggle out of danger. The right-hander was sent out to start eighth and was removed after a double and single made it a 5-2 game. It's unclear why Lovullo had his closer enter what would normally be a low-leverage spot. Martinez has pitched at regular intervals over the past week, so it wasn't an issue of rust. Perhaps it was due to Lovullo's desire to end the team's three-game losing skid.

SEPTEMBER 26 • ROTOWIRE

Handed blown save, loss Martinez (5-6) was charged with a blown save and the loss after allowing one run on three hits and no walks over one-third of an inning Sunday against the Brewers.

Impact Arizona held an 8-0 lead after two and a half frames Sunday, but Martinez and the rest of the bullpen were unable to maintain the advantage. The right-hander entered with two outs in the eighth inning and the Diamondbacks leading 9-7, and he proceeded to give up three runs (two inherited runners) on two singles, a double and a wild pitch. A.J. Puk picked up a save Friday in Milwaukee, which combined with Martinez's save Sept. 4 account for Arizona's only saves so far this month. Martinez should be the favorite for saves in the final week of the regular season, but the lefty Puk is also in the mix.

SEPTEMBER 23 • ROTOWIRE

Secures eighth save Martinez picked up the save in Tuesday's 8-7 win over the Giants, allowing one run on three hits and a walk while striking out three over 1.1 innings.

Impact Martinez entered with two outs in the eighth and the Giants up 7-5 and gave up an RBI single before retiring Luis Matos to get out of the inning. The Diamondbacks went on to score an insurance run in the bottom of the frame, and it proved to be a big one, as Martinez allowed two more hits and a run in the ninth but ultimately shut the door on the game. Martinez is now a perfect 8-for-8 in save chances since taking over the closer role but he has allowed six runs (four earned) over his last nine appearances. For the year, he holds a 2.18 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 78:31 K:BB in 62 innings.

SEPTEMBER 4 • ROTOWIRE

Takes loss Thursday Martinez (5-5) picked up Thursday's loss to the Mets, allowing a run on two hits while striking out two over one inning.

Impact Martinez entered a non-save situation -- 2-2 game in the ninth inning -- and was made to pay for Jesse Winker's double. He's allowed runs in three of the last four outings, but Martinez remains the Diamondbacks' primary closer.

AUGUST 30 • ROTOWIRE

Secures seventh save Martinez picked up the save over the Mets on Wednesday, pitching a perfect ninth inning while striking out one.

Impact Martinez entered the contest in the top of the ninth, right after Arizona had just taken a three-run lead on an eighth-inning rally. He then needed just nine pitches to retire the side and secure his seventh save of the campaign. The right-handed reliever has now converted each of last seven save opportunities, all of which have come in August. Martinez has also recorded at least one strikeout in six-consecutive outings and in 11 of 12 appearances this month.

AUGUST 29 • ROTOWIRE

Recovers after leadoff homer Martinez picked up the save Sunday against Boston, allowing a solo home run and no walks with one strikeout during the ninth inning.

Impact Martinez inherited a three-run lead in the ninth frame and offered up a solo home run to Tyler O'Neill to start the inning. Martinez was able to shake off the long ball and retired Masataka Yoshida, Connor Wong and Romy Gonzalez in order to secure his sixth save of the season. Martinez emerged as the Diamondbacks' closer in August, and he's 6-for-6 in save opportunities this month. While manager Torey Lovullo said Friday that he wants to get Paul Sewald back to being a closer, the team opted for Martinez in the ninth Sunday. The 22-year-old has been outstanding this season - posting a 2.02 ERA in 58 innings - and, for now, should be the favorite to see save opportunities.

AUGUST 25 • ROTOWIRE

Goes 1.2 frames for fifth save Martinez earned a save against the Marlins on Wednesday, allowing one run on two hits and one walk while striking out four batters over 1.2 innings.

Impact Martinez was called upon in the eighth inning with the Diamondbacks clinging to a one-run lead and the tying run on second base with one out. He struck out Xavier Edwards and got Geraldo Perdomo to fly out to escape the threat, then returned in the bottom of the ninth after Arizona put up two runs in the top half of the frame. Martinez made things interesting by surrendering a run and allowing the tying run to get to second base on a two-out wild pitch, but the rookie closer ultimately slammed the door with a game-ending strikeout. He's notched a save on consecutive days for the first time in his big-league career and remains the team's top option for save chances with Paul Sewald at least temporarily moved out of the closer role.

AUGUST 22 • ROTOWIRE

Earns fourth save Martinez earned the save Tuesday, striking out one in a perfect ninth inning.

Impact Martinez was called upon to protect a 3-1 lead in the ninth frame and did so on just seven pitches. He suffered losses in each of his past two appearances but has converted all four of his save chances in August. On the season, the 23-year-old owns a stellar 1.79 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 67:29 K:BB across 55.1 innings.

AUGUST 21 • ROTOWIRE

Charged with loss Martinez (5-4) was tagged with Sunday's 8-7 extra-innings loss to Tampa Bay. He allowed one unearned run on one hit, two walks and a hit batsman while striking out two over 1.1 inn...

Impact Martinez, who had saves in three of his previous five appearances, was bypassed in the bottom of the 10th with Arizona up by a run. Instead, manager Torey Lovullo rolled with Kevin Ginkel, who was the pitcher of record and allowed the Rays to tie the game. Martinez pitched the the next two frames, wriggling out of a bases-loaded jam in the 11th before ceding the winning run in the 12th. This was the second consecutive appearance in which Martinez was charged with a walk-off loss.

AUGUST 19 • ROTOWIRE

Records save No. 3 Martinez earned a save against the Rockies on Monday, allowing one hit in a scoreless inning.

Impact Martinez came on in the ninth frame to protect a one-run lead and gave up a single to leadoff batter Michael Toglia. However, the righty reliever then got Jake Cave to ground into a double play before retiring Elias Diaz on a groundout to end the game. Martinez extended his scoreless streak to seven outings and notched his third save in his past four appearances. With each successful outing, he's tightening his grip on the team's closer role.

AUGUST 13 • ROTOWIRE

Picks up win Martinez (5-2) picked up the win over the Phillies on Friday, allowing one run and striking out one over a scoreless ninth inning.

Impact Martinez's ascension at the back end of the Diamondbacks' bullpen continued. He was prepping for a save opportunity, but setup reliever A.J. Puk allowed an inherited runner to score, negating the chance. For Martinez, it was a sixth straight scoreless outing, during which he's struck out 12 batters in six innings.

AUGUST 10 • ROTOWIRE

Snags second save Martinez earned the save in a 5-3 win over the Guardians in the second game of a doubleheader Wednesday, working around a hit and a walk while striking out two in a scoreless ninth...

Impact Martinez found himself in some trouble in the ninth before ultimately striking out Lane Thomas, who represented the go-ahead run, to seal a 5-3 Arizona victory. The 23-year-old Martinez has been entrusted with back-to-back save chances for the Diamondbacks while delivering five consecutive scoreless appearances, allowing just two hits while striking out 11 in that span (five innings). Overall, the right-hander sports a 1.97 ERA with a 1.21 WHIP and 61:26 K:BB through 50.1 innings this season. Martinez could continue to see work in the closer's role with Paul Sewald working in lower-leverage situations.

AUGUST 8 • ROTOWIRE

Picks up save Martinez walked one and struck out two over a scoreless 10th inning to pick up the save in a 7-6 extra-inning win over Cleveland.

Impact Ryan Thompson was unable to close out the Guardians in the ninth, setting up a chance for Martinez in the extra frame. Arizona manager had used Kevin Ginkel and A.J. Puk prior to Thompson, and the manager went with Martinez, who has a 2.01 ERA and 1.20 WHIP over 49.1 innings. Thompson has been shaky in three consecutive save chances, which leaves the Diamondbacks' closer situation in flux.

AUGUST 6 • ROTOWIRE

Blows save chance Martinez allowed one run on two hits and one walk, picking up a blown save in Sunday's 2-1 extra-inning loss to the Cubs.

Impact With closer Paul Sewald unavailable due to being used the previous two days, manager Torey Lovullo turned to Martinez, who was also used Friday and Saturday but had thrown fewer pitches (25) than Sewald (33). Martinez, facing the same group of hitters he shut down Saturday, allowed a double and single to two of the first three batters faced, permitting the lead to slip away. The 22-year-old rookie has gradually worked his way into high-leverage situations this season and could eventually become a late-game staple.

JULY 22 • ROTOWIRE

Works three innings Martinez allowed three hits and one walk while striking out two over three scoreless innings in Thursday's 3-2 loss to the Mets.

Impact Martinez has never recorded more than six outs in an MLB game, but he gave the Diamondbacks nine outs on a night when starter Zac Gallen (hamstring) was removed after six pitches. The reliever worked around traffic, including double-plays in the fourth and fifth innings. The right-hander has made 12 consecutive scoreless appearances and given up just one run over 18.2 innings.

MAY 31 • ROTOWIRE

Returns to Arizona The Diamondbacks recalled Martinez from Triple-A Reno on Tuesday.

Impact Martinez appeared in two games with the D-backs before being sent down to Triple-A on Sunday, throwing three scoreless innings while striking out two batters and walking four. He'll give Arizona additional depth in its bullpen as Kyle Nelson (shoulder) lands on the 15-day IL.

APRIL 23 • ROTOWIRE

Back down to Triple-A The Diamondbacks optioned Martinez to Triple-A Reno on Sunday.

Impact Martinez was called up by Arizona on Wednesday. He appeared in two games for the Diamondbacks, allowing four walks but no hits or runs while striking out two over three frames. The move corresponds with Arizona recalling right-hander Slade Cecconi from Triple-A Reno.

APRIL 21 • ROTOWIRE

Back down to Triple-A The Diamondbacks optioned Martinez to Triple-A Reno on Sunday.

APRIL 21 • ROTOWIRE

Back in big leagues Martinez was recalled from Triple-A Reno on Wednesday, Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports.

Impact Martinez will provide a fresh arm for the bullpen after they were needed for six innings in Tuesday's win over the White Sox. The hard-throwing righty hasn't found his footing yet in the majors, giving up 13 runs over eight frames.

SEPTEMBER 27, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Optioned to Reno The Diamondbacks optioned Martinez to Triple-A Reno on Saturday.

Impact With Zach Davies (back) returning from the injured list, Martinez will end up serving as the D-backs' roster casualty. The 22-year-old gave up six runs over 4.2 innings and picked up his first career save after he was recalled Aug. 17.

AUGUST 26, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Notches first MLB save Martinez earned a save against San Diego on Thursday, walking two batters and striking out three over 1.1 scoreless innings.

Impact Closer Paul Sewald had pitched four times in five days coming into Thursday, as had top setup man Kevin Ginkel, so Arizona manager Torey Lovullo opted to go to Martinez -- who was called up from Triple-A Reno earlier in the day -- to protect a two-run lead in the eighth inning. Martinez struck out Ha-Seong Kim looking to end that frame, then returned for the ninth to try to close things out. He got himself into a bit of trouble by walking Fernando Tatis Jr. and Xander Bogaerts but escaped with the save after striking out Jake Cronenworth to end the contest. Though this was certainly an impressive performance by the 22-year-old right-hander, it's unlikely that he'll see many (if any) more save chances this season as long as Sewald and Ginkel are healthy.

AUGUST 18, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Recalled from Triple-A Arizona recalled Martinez from Triple-A Reno on Thursday.

Impact Martinez has allowed seven earned runs in 3.1 innings (four appearances) this season in the majors, but the Diamondbacks need a fresh bullpen arm leading into their four-game series at San Diego. He'll operate in a low-leverage role.

AUGUST 17, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Optioned to Reno Martinez was optioned to Triple-A Reno on Saturday.

Impact Martinez made four appearances during his time in the majors, allowing seven runs in 3.1 innings while walking more batters (five) than he struck out (four). He'll exit the roster to create space for Brandon Pfaadt, who was recalled to start against the Reds.

JULY 22, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Makes MLB debut Martinez allowed two runs on one hit and two walks while striking out two over one inning in Friday's 7-3 win over Pittsburgh. He also hit a batter.

Impact Martinez brought the heat as advertised, averaging 100.8 mph on his four-seamer with 14 of 29 pitches logging over 100 mph. He also brought the control issues that have dogged him in the minors. The 21-year-old right-hander struck out 41 batters in 31 innings at Triple-A Reno this season but also walked 28.

JULY 8, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

The Arizona Republic Justin Martinez threw five pitches that clocked in at 102 mph in Friday's win over the Pirates.

JULY 8, 2023 • AZCENTRAL.COM

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