Justin Martinez Fantasy Stats

Arizona Diamondbacks right-handed reliever Justin Martinez (elbow) is still throwing on flat ground up to 120 feet, according to Arizona Sports' Alex Weiner. Martinez underwent Tommy John surgery on his right elbow on June 25 of last year and will open the 2026 season on the 60-day injured list. In a best-case scenario, he won't be available to return to high-leverage duties at the back end of Arizona's bullpen until the second half of the season. Fellow reliever A.J. Puk (elbow), who had an internal-brace procedure on his left arm, is slightly ahead of Martinez and is throwing short bullpen sessions. With both Martinez and Puk out for the first half of the season, veteran Paul Sewald might be the favorite for saves in the desert. The 24-year-old Martinez has 13 saves for Arizona in the last two seasons and is probably the team's preferred closer when healthy, but he could very well be eased back into high-leverage duties in the second half this year when he's back.

Arizona Diamondbacks right-handed reliever Justin Martinez (elbow) said he's tentatively targeting an August return from elbow surgery, according to Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic. Martinez is recovering from Tommy John surgery that he had last June, although he did start a throwing program in the middle of last month. The 24-year-old Dominican hurler broke out in 2024 with a 2.48 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, eight saves, 91 K's, and 36 walks in 72 2/3 innings for the Snakes and was their primary closer last year before injuring his right elbow. Martinez had a 4.11 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, five saves, 22 K's, and 12 walks in 15 1/3 innings in 2025 before he was shut down. Until Martinez and left-hander A.J. Puk (elbow) return in 2026, Kevin Ginkel could get the majority of save opportunities in the desert, with Ryan Thompson and Kade Strowd potentially also in the mix for saves.

Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said that right-handed reliever Justin Martinez (elbow) is expected to miss at least 12 or 13 months with a UCL sprain in his right elbow. Martinez is still seeking second opinions, but it looks like we won't see the 23-year-old closer until the second half of the 2026 season. He had Tommy John surgery on his right elbow in 2021, but it's unclear if he'll be undergoing another surgery. Martinez features a fastball that touches triple digits, a high-velocity slider and a nasty splitter. The Dominican hurler will finish 2025 with a 4.11 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, five saves and 22 strikeouts in only 15 1/3 innings pitched. He had eight saves and nine holds in 73 innings with Arizona in 2024. With lefty A.J. Puk (elbow) still on the injured list, the D-backs are moving forward with veteran Shelby Miller as their primary closer. Martinez can be dropped in single-year fantasy leagues. UPDATE: Martinez will undergo another Tommy John surgery, according to Lovullo.

The Arizona Diamondbacks announced on Tuesday that they placed right-handed reliever Justin Martinez (elbow) on the 15-day injured list with a sprained right ulnar collateral ligament in his elbow. Right-hander Christian Montes De Oca (elbow) was also placed on the 15-day IL, while right-handers Kevin Ginkel, Bryce Jarvis and Tayler Scott were all called up from Triple-A Reno. Righty Jeff Brigham was optioned to Reno. Martinez injured his elbow during his outing in Monday's extra-inning win over the Seattle Mariners and is likely to be out well into the second half of the season. The 23-year-old will go for a second opinion after his MRI exam, according to manager Torey Lovullo, which is an ominous sign. Martinez could be looking at Tommy John surgery in the future. With lefty A.J. Puk (elbow) still out, veteran Shelby Miller is looking at primary closing duties in the desert.

Arizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher Justin Martinez (elbow) was forced to leave Monday's game against Seattle with the training staff after dealing with elbow tightness. Martinez said he "felt bad" after the game, but it wasn't clear if he meant his arm or the fact that he had to leave the game. The 23-year-old closer spent time on the injured list last month with shoulder inflammation, but it isn't clear if this injury will cause him to miss time or just require a few days of rest. If he's out, Shelby Miller would be next up for saves out of Arizona's bullpen. UPDATE: Martinez will undergo an MRI exam on his right elbow.

Arizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher Justin Martinez recorded his first save since returning from the injured list last week, bringing his season total to four. This was promising to see, especially after allowing two runs to blow a save in his first appearance back on May 24. The 23-year-old could be a top-10 closer for fantasy if he can gain full control of the job, which he briefly did before suffering his injury. A.J. Puk still isn't close to returning from his elbow injury, which makes Shelby Miller the main competition for saves. Martinez is coming off of a 2024 season where he posted an elite 2.48 ERA with 91 strikeouts in 72 2/3 innings, so make sure he's not sitting on the waiver wire in your leagues.

The Arizona Diamondbacks announced on Friday that they reinstated right-handed reliever Justin Martinez (shoulder) from the 15-day injured list and optioned right-hander Christian Montes De Oca to Triple-A Reno in a corresponding move. Martinez last pitched in the big leagues on April 30 but was shut down with inflammation in his right shoulder. With lefty A.J. Puk (elbow) still on the shelf, the 23-year-old high-leverage relief arm should see most of the team's save opportunities moving forward now that he's back. He tossed two scoreless innings on his minor-league rehab assignment, with the most important news being the fact that he reached 101.1 mph with his sinker at Triple-A Reno. Even if the D-backs ease Martinez back into closing situations after his IL stint, he should eventually be the favorite for saves, at least until Puk is able to return.

The Arizona Republic's Jose M. Romero writes that Arizona Diamondbacks right-handed reliever Justin Martinez (shoulder) could come off the injured list as soon as Friday's series opener in St. Louis against the Cardinals. Manager Torey Lovullo said as much after Wednesday's series finale against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Martinez hit 100 mph or more five times during his 13-pitch minor-league rehab appearance with Triple-A Reno on Tuesday, which is a great sign that he's past his right-shoulder inflammation. Before landing on the IL, his velocity had dropped into the mid-90s. Martinez has been on the IL since May 1 and is eligible to be activated at any time. With lefty A.J. Puk (elbow) still on the shelf, Martinez will be in line for primary closing duties in Arizona when he returns, so he should be rostered in all fantasy formats.

Arizona Diamondbacks right-handed reliever Justin Martinez (shoulder) will face live hitters on Wednesday and throw somewhere around 15 to 18 pitches, according to manager Torey Lovullo. It comes after Martinez said his first bullpen session on Sunday went "real well." Barring a setback once he starts facing live hitters this week, the 23-year-old is expected to return when he's eligible to come off the 15-day injured list on Friday, May 16, which means he likely won't be sent out on a minor-league rehab assignment. The D-backs put Martinez on the shelf in the beginning of May due to right-shoulder inflammation. With lefty A.J. Puk (elbow) quite a ways behind Martinez in his recovery from an elbow injury, Martinez should assume primary closing duties in the desert when he returns to Arizona's bullpen. Before his injury, he had three saves and 11 K's in 10 innings of work.

Arizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher Justin Martinez (shoulder) was recently placed on the 15-day injured list. The right-hander is dealing with right shoulder inflammation, but hopefully he won't be sidelined for too long. He underwent additional imaging that didn't show any significant damage. That being said, Martinez is reportedly going to begin a throwing program this week. It's unclear if Martinez will need to go on a rehab assignment before returning. He isn't eligible to return until the middle of May, so it wouldn't be shocking to see Martinez throw a few minor league games. In the meantime, the D-Backs are likely going to use a committee approach at the closer which involves Ryan Thompson, Shelby Miller, Jalen Beeks, and Kevin Ginkel.