| Nick Martinez | |
|---|---|
 Martinez with the Padres in 2022 | |
| Free agent | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born: (1990-08-05)August 5, 1990 (age 35) Miami, Florida, U.S. | |
Bats: Left Throws: Right | |
| Professional debut | |
| MLB: April 5, 2014, for the Texas Rangers | |
| NPB: March 31, 2018, for the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters | |
| MLB statistics (through 2025 season) | |
| Win–loss record | 48–59 |
| Earned run average | 4.16 |
| Strikeouts | 670 |
| NPB statistics (through 2021 season) | |
| Win–loss record | 21–22 |
| Earned run average | 3.02 |
| Strikeouts | 297 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
Medals | |
Nicholas Andres Martinez (born August 5, 1990) is an American professionalbaseballpitcher who is a free agent. He has previously played inMajor League Baseball (MLB) for theTexas Rangers,San Diego Padres,Cincinnati Reds and for theHokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters andFukuoka SoftBank Hawks ofNippon Professional Baseball (NPB).
Martinez graduated fromBelen Jesuit Preparatory School inMiami, Florida. He enrolled atFordham University, where he playedcollege baseball for theFordham Rams. He had a 1–3win–loss record with a 5.33earned run average (ERA) in 15 games, over two seasons for Fordham as a relief pitcher. He was mostly a second baseman,batting .295 with 4home runs, 66runs batted in, 167hits, and 22stolen bases over three seasons and 148 games.[1][2] In 2011, he playedcollegiate summer baseball with theFalmouth Commodores of theCape Cod Baseball League.[3] He also played in theNew England Collegiate Baseball League for theVermont Mountaineers. He is the seventh Mountaineer to make it to MLB.[4]
Martinez was drafted by theTexas Rangers in the 18th round of the2011 Major League Baseball draft, out ofFordham University.[5] He made his professional debut with theAZL Rangers, and also appeared for the Low-ASpokane Indians, posting a cumulative 2.75 ERA across 10 contests. The next year, Martinez played for the Single-AHickory Crawdads, pitching to a 8–6 record and 4.83 ERA across 31 appearances. Martinez split the 2013 season between the High-AMyrtle Beach Pelicans and the Double-AFrisco RoughRiders, logging a 12–7 record and 2.50 ERA with 128 strikeouts in 1511⁄3 innings of work.[6]
Martinez was named the Rangers' fifth starter on March 26, 2014.[7] He was formally selected to the 40-man roster on April 5 and promoted to the major leagues for the first time. In his first career start against theTampa Bay Rays, Martinez went six innings, struck out three and allowed three earned runs on four hits. He received a no decision as the Rangers lost 5–4. After two straight starts against theOakland Athletics, the Rangers gotMatt Harrison back from the DL and moved Martinez to the bullpen. Martinez went 62⁄3 innings, struck out six and allowed only one earned run in four relief appearances. In a game against theHouston Astros, Harrison injured his lower back and had spinal fusion surgery. The Rangers then put Martinez back into the starting rotation.[8] Martinez finished his rookie season with a 5–12 record and 4.55 ERA in 29 major league contests. In 2015, Martinez posted an ERA of 3.96 and shared the major league lead inhit batsmen, with 13.[9] In 2016, Martinez split the year between the Triple-ARound Rock Express and Texas, recording a 2–3 record and 5.59 ERA in 12 big league games. In 2017, Martinez pitched to a 3–8 record and 5.66 ERA with 67 strikeouts in 1111⁄3 innings of work for Texas.
Upon reaching free agency and limited interest from MLB teams, Martinez signed a one-year, $1.8 million contract with theHokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters ofNippon Professional Baseball (NPB) on January 6, 2018. According to reports, the contract included possible incentives based on innings pitched.[10]
In his first NPB season, Martinez went 10–11 with 93 strikeouts and an ERA of 3.51. On December 18, 2018, Martinez re-signed with the team on a one-year, $2.2 million contract.[11] In 2019, Martinez pitched four innings. On October 18, 2019, Martinez signed a 1-year extension to remain with the Fighters.[12] In 2020, Martinez made 17 appearances for the Fighters, logging a 2–7 record and 4.62 ERA. On December 2, 2020, he became a free agent.[13]
On January 30, 2021, Martinez signed with theFukuoka SoftBank Hawks ofNippon Professional Baseball.[citation needed] In 21 appearances for the Hawks during the season, Martinez compiled a 9-4 record and 1.60 ERA with 138 strikeouts across140+2⁄3 innings pitched.[14]
On March 19, 2022, Martinez signed a one-year, major league contract with theSan Diego Padres.[15] He made 47 appearances (10 starts) for San Diego, compiling a 4-4 record and 3.47 ERA with 95 strikeouts and eight saves across106+1⁄3 innings pitched. On November 10, Martinez opted out of his contract.[16]
On November 22, 2022, Martinez signed a three-year, $26 million contract to return to the Padres.[17] He made 63 appearances (nine starts) for the Padres in 2023, posting a 6-4 record and 3.43 ERA with 106 strikeouts and one save over110+1⁄3 innings of work. On November 4, 2023, Martinez declined his player option for the 2024 season and became a free agent.[18]
On December 1, 2023, Martinez signed a two-year, $26 million contract with theCincinnati Reds.[19] He made 42 appearances (16 starts) for Cincinnati in 2024, logging a 10-7 record and 3.10 ERA with 116 strikeouts across142+1⁄3 innings pitched. Martinez declined his 2025 option on November 1, 2024, and became a free agent.[20]
However, on November 4, the Reds offered Martinez a qualifying offer, in which he accepted it on November 17, to remain with the team on a one-year contract.[21]
On June 27, 2025, Martinez fell 3 outs short of throwing ano-hitter against theSan Diego Padres. After walkingTrenton Brooks to lead off the 9th, pinch hitterElias Diaz hit a double off the wall, ending the no-hit bid and Martinez's night. His 112 pitches tied a career high during his quest to throw the first Reds no-hitter sinceWade Miley in 2021.[22]
On July 2, 2021, Martinez was named to the roster for theUnited States national baseball team for the2020 Summer Olympics, contested in 2021 in Tokyo.[23] The team went on to win silver, losing to hosts Japan in the gold medal game.[24]
| Awards and achievements | ||
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| Preceded by | National League Pitcher of the Month September 2024 | Succeeded by |
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