Martinez mows through LA's big bats in latest rotation audition

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Nick Martinez was trying to beat the Dodgers, not the rain. But he wound up doing both Friday night at Camelback Ranch.

Facing that loaded L.A. lineup that featured a troika of MVPs up top in Mookie Betts, Shohei Ohtani and Freddie Freeman, Martinez threw four perfect innings and struck out six (including Freeman twice) in his strongest bid yet for a Reds rotation spot. He was efficient enough to get his full scheduled outing in before heavy rains postponed the tilt in the middle of the fifth, with the Reds up, 4-0.

“These guys really don’t give you a chance to mess around,” Martinez said of the Dodgers. “If you’re nibbling the zone, they bring you back to the plate and do damage.”

Martinez didn’t let them.

“He got ahead of everyone, used both sides of the plate, came inside when he needed to open up the plate," manager David Bell said. "He just commands all his pitches. He throws everything for a strike, and he has really good stuff. So he’s pitching with a lot of confidence right now.”

Though primarily a reliever the past two seasons with the Padres, Martinez is confident about what he can bring his new club as a starter. That’s the role he prefers for himself, and it’s a role he’s flourished in so far this spring.

“But I also enjoy winning,” he said. “So whatever capacity that can be, I’m up for.”

Martinez’s familiarity with the Dodgers from his NL West days gave him an idea of how to approach them on this night. And he knew his performance here would provide the Reds’ coaching and front office staffs with a good gauge of where he stands in the rotation battle.

“Obviously this lineup is very tough,” Martinez said. “It really demands a high level of focus and not a lot of room for error. I was able to accomplish that today.”

India makes spring debut
Not only did Jonathan India see his first action of the spring in Friday’s would-be game against the Dodgers, but he also saw his first action at first base.

India, who had been recovering from plantar fasciitis in his left foot, moved around well and made a terrific grab of a scored Gavin Lux liner in the third inning. He is going to be seeing action around the diamond as he adapts to more of a utility role.

“You wouldn't have known tonight that he's never played [first base] in his life,” said Bell, “so that was that was a good start.”

Joey is a Jay
Bell was pleased to hear Joey Votto, who seems bound to don the Cincinnati logo on his Hall of Fame plaque one day, will get the opportunity to extend his career with his hometown Blue Jays.

Votto reportedly agreed Friday to a Minor League deal with the Jays, who had always seemed a natural free-agent fit for him given both their need for a left-handed bat and, of course, his Canadian roots. With so many young position players vying for playing time, the Reds were an ill fit for Votto’s services.

“I don’t want to feel like I'm speaking for Joey,” Bell said, “but I imagine it means a ton to him. I know how much he wanted to play, from the last time we spoke. But for it to be somewhere that could be very meaningful personally to him seems like a great situation. So yes, I'm very happy for him.”

Votto had become a free agent when the Reds declined their $20 million option on him for 2024. He played 17 seasons in Cincinnati and ranks in the top five in franchise history in hits (2,135), doubles (459), homers (356), runs (1,171) and walks (1,365).