Justin Martinez

Fantasy News

• Diamondbacks' Justin Martinez: Will undergo TJ surgery

  Rotowire Jun 13, 2025

  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 most, if not all, of 2026. Shelby Miller is the next man up to take on closing duties for Arizona in Martinez's absence.

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• Diamondbacks' Justin Martinez: Out for season

  Rotowire Jun 13, 2025

  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 picked up his seventh save of the season Wednesday, and it appears he'll get first crack as Arizona's closer.

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• Diamondbacks' Justin Martinez: Struggles with control in save

  Rotowire Jun 4, 2025

  Martinez registered the save in Wednesday's 2-1 victory over Atlanta, allowing one run on no hits and four walks with four strikeouts in 1.2 innings. It was certainly a shaky outing by Martinez despite allowing no hits, as he gave up a season-high four walks while throwing just 17 of his 37 pitches for strikes. It was encouraging to see manager Torey Lovullo trust Martinez to record five outs for his fifth save of the year, but the hard-throwing right-hander seems unlikely to be available for Thursday's series finale against Atlanta after tossing so many pitches. Despite owning a 5.79 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 9:5 K:BB over 4.2 innings since coming off the injured list, Martinez still appears to be the favorite for saves in Arizona's bullpen.

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• Diamondbacks' Justin Martinez: Strands three inherited runners

  Rotowire May 27, 2025

  Martinez struck out one over a scoreless inning to earn a hold in Monday's 5-0 win over Pittsburgh. Martinez's hold felt like a save. He entered the eighth inning with none out and the bases loaded and got a strikeout, popout and groundout. At the time when Martinez was activated off the injured list, Arizona manager Torey Lovullo indicated he'd prefer to ease him back before returning Martinez to a ninth-inning role, but Monday's outing may have jump-started the move back to closer.

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• Diamondbacks' Justin Martinez: Tagged with first blown save

  Rotowire May 24, 2025

  Martinez (1-2) was charged with his first blown save of the season and took the loss Saturday against the Cardinals, coughing up two runs on two hits and a walk in one inning. He struck out two. Brought on in the bottom of the eighth inning to protect a 4-3 lead in his first action since coming off the IL on Friday, Martinez struck out the first batter he faced but quickly ran into trouble before giving up a two-out, two-run single to Jordan Walker. The usage suggests Shelby Miller would have been used in the ninth if Arizona still held the lead, but it might only take a couple clean appearances for Martinez to regain the closer role. Arizona manager Torey Lovullo told Joe Harris of MLB.com upon Martinez's activation off the injured list Friday that he would be eased back into closing duties. That's easier said than done, however -- he's been tagged for a run in four straight games dating back to late April, prior to being shut down with shoulder inflammation. On the bright side, Martinez showed his usual elite velocity Saturday as he hit triple digits on the radar gun with six of his 23 pitches.

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• Diamondbacks' Justin Martinez: Returns from 15-day IL

  Rotowire May 23, 2025

  The Diamondbacks activated Martinez (shoulder) from the 15-day injured list Friday. Martinez has been shelved for most of May with right shoulder inflammation but is ready to go after making two scoreless rehab appearances. He reached 101.1 mph with his sinker during his last outing at Triple-A Reno, which is particularly encouraging after his velocity had dipped prior to the IL stint. Martinez might be eased back into ninth-inning duty, but it shouldn't be long before he reclaims the closer role with Shelby Miller carrying a 5.63 ERA and 2.13 WHIP in May.

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• Diamondbacks' Justin Martinez: Could return for weekend series

  Rotowire May 22, 2025

  Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said after Wednesday's 3-1 loss to the Dodgers that Martinez (shoulder) has a good chance to return from the 15-day injured list for this weekend's series in St. Louis, Jody Jackson of Bally Sports Arizona reports. Martinez has been on the shelf since May 1 due to right shoulder inflammation, an injury that resulted in a significant drop in velocity in his last couple of relief appearances before he was deactivated. The right-hander seems to have bounced back nicely from the extended rest, as he tossed scoreless innings in both of his minor-league rehab appearances and reached 101.1 miles per hour with his sinker during his most recent outing with Triple-A Reno on Tuesday. Per John Gambadoro of 98.7 FM Arizona Sports, Martinez flew back to Phoenix on Wednesday, and assuming the Arizona training staff was satisfied with his health, he'll accompany the Diamondbacks on their road trip and will likely be activated Friday. Martinez should eventually settle back in as the Diamondbacks' preferred option at closer, though it's possible that manager Torey Lovullo chooses to ease him back in with a low-leverage appearance or two.

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• Diamondbacks' Justin Martinez: Throws scoreless inning at Triple-A

  Rotowire May 21, 2025

  Martinez (shoulder) allowed one hit over a scoreless inning during a rehab appearance for Triple-A Reno on Tuesday. Martinez made his second appearance while on rehab assignment after throwing an inning in a rookie-level Arizona Complex League game Saturday. The reliever has already spent more than the minimum 15 days on the injured list, so he could be on track for activation at some point in the coming days.

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• Diamondbacks' Justin Martinez: Continuing rehab at Triple-A

  Rotowire May 18, 2025

  Martinez (shoulder) is scheduled to throw an inning for Triple-A Reno on Tuesday as part of his rehab assignment, Jody Jackson of Bally Sports Arizona reports. Martinez is working his way back from right shoulder inflammation and is nearing a return. A report Sunday indicated he'd rejoin the team either for the start of a series against the Dodgers on Monday or for a weekend set against St. Louis beginning Friday. With Martinez throwing an inning for Reno on Tuesday, it's expected he'll rejoin the big-league club ahead of its series against the Cardinals.

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• Diamondbacks' Justin Martinez: Return date nearing

  Rotowire May 17, 2025

  Martinez (shoulder) could be activated from the injured list to begin the Diamondbacks series against the Dodgers on Monday, or the team could wait until its series against the Cardinals on Friday, Jack Sommers of SI.com reports. Martinez made his first rehab appearance in the Arizona Complex League on Saturday. The next step will either be activation or having his rehab assignment transferred to Triple-A Reno. Regardless of his exact return date, Martinez should be available for the Diamondbacks within the next week.

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• Diamondbacks' Justin Martinez: Will pitch in ACL game Saturday

  Rotowire May 16, 2025

  Diamondbacks Torey Lovullo said Friday that Martinez (shoulder) will throw in the Arizona Complex League on Saturday, Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports. Martinez is in the final stages of his recovery from right shoulder inflammation, which caused him to be placed on the 15-day injured list in early May. He progressed to facing live batters earlier this week, and he'll take the next step in his rehab program by throwing in an ACL game Saturday. Martinez could return to the big club shortly after Saturday's outing depending on how his shoulder responds.

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• Diamondbacks' Justin Martinez: Bullpen session goes well

  Rotowire May 12, 2025

  Martinez (shoulder) threw a bullpen session Sunday, MLB.com reports. Martinez took the mound for the first time since he was placed on the injured list May 1 due to right shoulder inflammation, or a case of "dead arm," as manager Torey Lovullo had described it. The report indicates that Martinez's side session went "real well," and that the reliever felt good. Martinez is first eligible for activation Friday, but it's unclear if he'll be cleared to return for this weekend's series versus the Rockies, or if he'll head out on a minor-league rehab assignment prior to being reinstated.

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• Diamondbacks' Justin Martinez: Beginning mound work Sunday

  Rotowire May 10, 2025

  Martinez (shoulder) will throw a bullpen session Sunday, Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports. Manager Torey Lovullo said Saturday that the ball has been "sizzling" out of Martinez's hand during his throwing program, which is a sign that the 23-year-old is feeling good after landing on the injured list May 1 with shoulder inflammation. Assuming all goes well during his bullpen session, Martinez may still be on pace to return when eligible Friday.

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• Diamondbacks' Justin Martinez: Set to begin throwing program

  Rotowire May 5, 2025

  Martinez (shoulder) will begin throwing later this week after being placed on the 15-day injured list Thursday, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports. Martinez was placed on the 15-day IL with right shoulder inflammation Thursday, but he received promising imaging results Saturday, which didn't show any structural damage. The relief pitcher is first eligible to return to action May 16, but it's far too early to place a timeline on when he'll be able to make his return to the mound. Once Martinez picks a ball up later this week, there will be a better understanding of where he's at physically.

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• Diamondbacks' Justin Martinez: Receives promising imaging results

  Rotowire May 3, 2025

  Martinez underwent an MRI on his right shoulder Saturday that showed no structural damage, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports. Martinez experienced a drop in velocity during his past two appearances and was subsequently placed on the 15-day injured list Thursday due to right shoulder inflammation. The righty received good news Saturday, however, and appears to have avoided a serious injury. Martinez is eligible to be activated from the IL on May 16, though it's not yet clear if he'll be ready to resume pitching in games at that point.

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• Diamondbacks' Justin Martinez: Velo concerns could prompt IL stint

  Rotowire May 1, 2025

  Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said that Martinez is scheduled to get imaging on his right shoulder after displaying diminished velocity during his relief appearance in Wednesday's 4-3 win over the Mets, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports. "We're still trying to sift through it ourselves," Lovullo said of Martinez. "We just wanted to get the feeling from him as to how he's doing. It's clear that the velo is down and the stuff is not the same. We're still evaluating." Martinez entered the game in the bottom of the ninth with the Diamondbacks up 4-1, but he was removed after 14 pitches (just five strikes). He failed to record an out in the win, as he allowed a leadoff home run and then walked the next two batters before Ryan Thompson stepped in to put out the fire and clinch the save. According to Gilbert, Martinez first experienced some shoulder fatigue coming out of his previous appearance Sunday, but he wasn't sent in for imaging despite his two-seamer being about three ticks down from his season average. His velocity then dropped down a few more ticks Wednesday to 93.5 miles per hour, and that decline coupled with the rough performance has left the Diamondbacks more open to the idea that he'll require a stint on the injured list. The Diamondbacks will wait for Martinez to be evaluated before making any decisions on his status.

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• Diamondbacks' Justin Martinez: Fires clean ninth inning in return

  Rotowire Apr 24, 2025

  Martinez (shoulder) returned to the mound in Wednesday's extra-inning loss to the Rays, striking out one during a clean ninth inning. While it wasn't a save situation in a 5-5 game, fantasy managers should still be pleased to see the hard-throwing right-hander look sharp in his return to action. It was Martinez's first appearance since last Thursday due to right shoulder fatigue, and he should be ready to solely reclaim the closer's role for the time being in the absence of A.J. Puk (elbow). Through his first eight innings of the season, Martinez has converted both of his save opportunities while allowing just three hits, one walk and no runs en route to producing a pristine 11:1 K:BB.

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• Diamondbacks' Justin Martinez: Was unavailable due to fatigue

  Rotowire Apr 22, 2025

  Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said that Martinez was unavailable to pitch in Sunday's extra-innings win over the Cubs due to "fatigue" and a recent heavy workload, Jack Sommers of SI.com reports. Martinez hadn't pitched since Thursday and threw only 10 pitches in that appearance, but trainers told Lovullo the reliever could use another day of rest Sunday. The Diamondbacks took the lead in the top of the 10th inning that day before Shelby Miller gave up the tying run in the bottom of the frame in his second inning of work. After Arizona grabbed the lead again with a run in the top of the 11th, Drey Jameson came on to secure his second career save. Martinez did not undergo any imaging and presumably will be available for Tuesday's series opener against the Rays. With A.J. Puk (elbow) out and Kevin Ginkel (shoulder) also still working his way back, Martinez is the clear favorite for saves in Arizona's bullpen right now.

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• Diamondbacks' Justin Martinez: Finishes off Miami

  Rotowire Apr 17, 2025

  Martinez worked a scoreless inning, retiring all three batters he faced in Wednesday's 6-2 win over the Marlins. With the Diamondbacks holding a 4-1 lead entering the eighth inning, manager Torey Lovullo had the late-game crew -- Martinez and A.J. Puk -- warming in the bullpen. Arizona then scored twice in the top half of the inning, increasing the lead to beyond what would qualify as a save. Lovullo stuck to the plan and had Puk work the bottom of the eighth with left-handers due up, then brought in Martinez to finish up. The latter needed just eight pitches to seal the win, making his seventh straight scoreless appearance to start the season.

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• Diamondbacks' Justin Martinez: Works smooth eighth inning

  Rotowire Apr 13, 2025

  Martinez struck out two over one inning to earn a hold in Sunday's 5-2 win over the Brewers. Arizona led 3-2 when the right-handed Martinez opened the eighth inning against three scheduled righty hitters. He retired the side in order, including a lefty pinch hitter. That held the lead for lefty A.J. Puk heading into the ninth, when the Brewers had lefties scheduled. The late-game bullpen deployment is working without manager Torey Lovullo having to name one closer. Martinez has yet to allow a run or a walk while striking out nine over 5.2 innings.

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