Reds, RHP Martinez finalize 2-year deal

CINCINNATI -- The Reds signed right-hander Nick Martinez to a two-year, $26 million contract, the club announced Friday. The deal includes an opt-out clause after the 2024 season.

Martinez, 33, has served in a swing role for the Padres the past two seasons following a four-year stint pitching in Japan. In 2023, the right-hander was 6-4 with a 3.43 ERA over a career-high 63 appearances while pitching 110 1/3 innings.

In nine starts last season, Martinez posted a 2.32 ERA. It would appear he could join the Reds' young rotation but also serve in a reliever role should circumstances change.

"Nick's a quality ground ball pitcher," president of baseball operations Nick Krall said. "He's capable of giving us solid results as both a starter and reliever."

Cincinnati's starters already include Hunter Greene, Graham Ashcraft, Andrew Abbott, Nick Lodolo, Brandon Williamson and Connor Phillips. But no one in the group has more than two years of big league service time. Martinez would provide a veteran presence.

The addition of Martinez comes on the heels of Cincinnati finalizing a two-year deal with reliever Emilio Pagán.

Before pitching for the Nippon Ham Fighters in Japan from 2018-22, Martinez spent the '14-17 seasons with the Rangers. He was an 18th-round selection by Texas in the 2011 Draft out of Fordham University.