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Diamondbacks' Justin Martinez: Completes live BP session
Rotowire
Martinez (elbow) threw pitches to rehabbing outfielder Jordan Lawlar (hamstring) in a live batting practice session Saturday, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.
After completing roughly 15 bullpen sessions over the last few weeks, Martinez took the next step forward in his recovery by facing hitters for the first time since undergoing Tommy John surgery on June 25, 2025. The hard-throwing righty will likely need to complete multiple live BP sessions before the Diamondbacks eventually send him out on what will presumably be an extended minor-league rehab assignment. His next live BP session is scheduled for Wednesday, per Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic. If he can steer clear of any setbacks while ramping up, Martinez could be a factor in the Arizona bullpen by late August or early September.
Martinez (elbow) will throw a live batting practice session soon, Alex D'Agostino of SI.com reports.
Martinez has been progressing with his bullpen sessions and is nearly ready to face hitters for the first time since he underwent Tommy John surgery on his right elbow last July. If he continues his recovery at his current pace, Martinez could be ready to rejoin the Arizona bullpen sometime in August.
Diamondbacks' Justin Martinez: Advances to bullpen session
Rotowire
Martinez (elbow) tossed a bullpen session Friday, Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports.
This was Martinez's first time throwing off a mound since he underwent Tommy John surgery on his right elbow last July. Per Piecoro, the reliever was at 96-to-99 mph with his fastball during the bullpen session. Martinez still has several more hurdles to clear in his rehab program, and he's not expected to be ready to return to Arizona's bullpen until sometime after the All-Star break.
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Diamondbacks' Justin Martinez: Throwing on flat ground
Rotowire
Martinez (elbow) is throwing from up to 120 feet on flat ground, MLB.com reports.
The next milestone for Martinez will be throwing from a mound. He underwent Tommy John elbow surgery last June and is shooting for a return in the second half of the 2026 season.
The Diamondbacks placed Martinez (elbow) on the 60-day injured list Saturday.
The move will create space on Arizona's 40-man roster for Paul Sewald, who signed with the club on Thursday. Martinez underwent Tommy John surgery in June and is expected to return to the D-backs' bullpen near the end of August.
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Diamondbacks' Justin Martinez: Aiming for late August return
Rotowire
Martinez (elbow) hopes to make his season debut by late August, Jack Sommers of SI.com reports.
Recovering from Tommy John surgery that he had last June, Martinez began a throwing program in mid-January. He will continue with a deliberate pace to his rehab and likely begin a rehab assignment a little after the All-Star break if all goes well. Martinez had been serving as the Diamondbacks' closer before getting hurt, but he could retake his old gig late in the 2026 campaign.
The Diamondbacks (elbow) transferred Martinez (elbow) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Sunday.
Manager Torey Lovullo announced Friday that Martinez will require season-ending Tommy John surgery, so it was just a matter of time before the right-hander was shifted to the 60-day IL. In addition to missing the rest of the 2025 season, Martinez will spend most, if not all, of the 2026 campaign recovering from the procedure.
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Diamondbacks' Justin Martinez: Out for season
Rotowire
Manager Torey Lovullo said Friday that Martinez (elbow) is expected to be sidelined for at least 12-to-13 months, Jack Sommers of SI.com reports.
The right-hander is still headed for a second opinion on the UCL sprain that sent him to the injured list earlier this week, but the initial diagnosis is apparently severe enough to safely rule him out for the next year. Martinez's absence could extend through the entirety of the 2026 campaign if traditional Tommy John surgery is necessary. Shelby Miller picked up his seventh save of the season Wednesday, and it appears he'll get the first crack at taking over as Arizona's closer.
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Diamondbacks' Justin Martinez: Will undergo TJ surgery
Rotowire
Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said Friday that Martinez (elbow) will undergo Tommy John surgery, Aaron Hughes of SI.com reports.
Martinez was already ruled out for the rest of the 2025 season due to a UCL sprain in the right elbow. After multiple consults, the 23-year-old will undergo Tommy John surgery for a second time after going through with the procedure in 2021. Given the timeline for recovery, Martinez will miss a significant portion of the 2026 season. Shelby Miller is the next man up to take on closing duties for Arizona in Martinez's absence.
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