This jack of all trades gives Reds versatility

This story was excerpted from Mark Sheldon’s Reds Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

CINCINNATI -- A versatile swingman. The Swiss Army knife-type of pitcher who can do whatever is needed. The reasons the Reds wanted and signed free agent Nick Martinez in the offseason have already been vivid.

First on Saturday vs. the Angels, starter Graham Ashcraft ran into trouble and Cincinnati's five-run lead was slipping in the top of the sixth. Manager David Bell summoned Martinez from the bullpen. Martinez delivered three scoreless innings with two singles and two strikeouts as the Reds took a 7-5 win.

“It’s why they brought me," Martinez said the next day. "It’s one of the things I’ve embraced with my role on a team. I can do it. I can do what you need. I like starting. I like coming into situations like that."

Cincinnati signed Martinez to a two-year, $26 million contract on Dec. 1 with the idea that he could start or be a reliever -- either long or short.

“That was something we really didn’t have last year," catcher Tyler Stephenson said. "If for some reason the starter doesn’t go long, we’ve got a guy that can eat up three or four innings. It’s huge for the team and also the bullpen so they’re not getting used as much.”

On Sunday, Frankie Montas was struck on the right forearm by a hard line drive in the first inning of a 3-0 Reds win. Martinez wasn't available out of the bullpen, but because of his work on Saturday, other relievers were fresh enough to combine for 8 1/3 innings and seal a series sweep.

With Montas placed on the injured list Monday, the Reds didn't have to look to their Minor League system for a capable replacement. They already have Martinez, who has been tasked to make at least two starts.

Just like that, Martinez has shifted gears back into starter mode and is preparing accordingly. His next start is scheduled for Thursday afternoon's series finale vs. the Phillies.

“I’m ready to step in and give the team what it needs until [Montas] is ready to go," Martinez said on Tuesday. "I like the preparation that goes with starting and the chess game that goes with it, the cat-and-mouse that goes with starting.”

Martinez filled a similar niche the previous two seasons with the Padres. He went 6-4 with a 3.43 ERA over a team-high 63 appearances (110 1/3 innings) in 2023, including a 2.32 ERA across 42 2/3 innings in nine starts.

The 2024 season saw Martinez begin in the Reds' rotation, where he made two starts while Nick Lodolo was on the injured list. When Lodolo returned on April 13 at the White Sox, Martinez understood that his role would be out of the bullpen for a while.

“Even just watching him pitch, he’s absolutely nasty. He can help us win," Martinez said. "He’s flat-out better than me. If a team is committed to winning, then I’m committed to doing whatever it takes to win.”

Bell likes having Martinez be able to serve in either role.

“He’ll do whatever it takes. He’ll do it with a smile," Bell said. "He deserves a lot of credit for approaching it that way."