Martinez shows why Reds are confident in him as a starter

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- The consummate Swiss Army knife of pitchers, Nick Martinez can do it all for a staff: starting, short relief, long relief, high leverage or low leverage -- whatever it takes. But for perhaps the first time as a Major Leaguer, there is no ambiguity about Martinez's role for the Reds heading into the 2025 season.

Manager Terry Francona made that clear when asked about Martinez on Sunday.

“Oh, I think we certainly view him as a starter," Francona said. "I know there’s some versatility there and he’s willing to do it, but bouncing guys around unless you have to is not what we’re shooting for.”

It makes sense, especially since Martinez is making starter's money this year after he accepted Cincinnati's $21.05 million free-agent qualifying offer in November. The right-hander's 2024 numbers also support the decision.

In 42 games last season, including 16 starts, Martinez was 10-7 with a 3.10 ERA and a 4.0 bWAR. He posted a 2.42 ERA in 11 starts after returning to the rotation full time on Aug. 5, including an 0.83 ERA over his final five starts. After the season, the 34-year-old exercised the opt-out clause in his two-year, $26 million contract.

“If [Francona] wants me in the rotation, then obviously I will give it everything I’ve got," Martinez said. "I do prefer being a starter, but if something happens that we need some help in the bullpen, I’m up for that too.

"For an athlete, we really love being relied upon. That definitely brings a lot of confidence.”

Martinez made his spring debut in the Reds' 5-2 loss to the Giants at Scottsdale Stadium on Sunday. Over two scoreless innings, he gave up two hits and struck out three batters.

Of the 35 pitches Martinez threw, 26 were strikes -- including all 14 pitches in the first inning, when he struck out three of his four batters. He got leadoff batter Grant McCray to strike out on a changeup. Following a Willy Adames single to left field, Mike Yastrzemski struck out on a backdoor cutter, and the inning ended with Jerar Encarnacion whiffing on a fastball up and away.

“I felt good, really good,” Martinez said. “I did a really good job of just attacking the zone and challenging hitters early and often.”

In the second inning, a two-out single by Brett Wisely was erased when he was caught stealing by catcher Austin Wynns.

“I’m learning quickly he’s a pro. He’s kind of a pro’s pro," Francona said of Martinez after the game. "He does everything. I told him the other day I watched him warm up, I watched him face hitters, and it was a clinic. He held a runner and gave our catcher a chance to get out of an inning. It’s amazing when you do those types of things. It gives you so much of an advantage. It just takes away a weapon from the other teams.”

News and notes

? Rule 5 utility player Cooper Bowman started in left field Sunday after playing first base for the first time in his career on Saturday vs. the Brewers. Bowman isn't getting a pedestrian look in camp. Cincinnati is in need of better defense, and the 25-year-old has a reputation for being very strong defensively at multiple positions. He most often plays second base, shortstop and center field. Also a speedster, he had 43 stolen bases combined last season at Double-A and Triple-A.

“I told him, ‘In fairness to you, we’d like to see you in as many places as we can.’ Because the more versatile he is, the better," Francona said before Sunday's game. "I asked him, ‘You ever play first?’ He goes, ‘No.’ The last thing I want to do is embarrass anybody. I said, ‘Let me know when you’re comfortable over there.’ He came like three days ago and goes, ‘I’m ready.’ I thought he did fine.”

Bowman was 0-for-2 with a flyout to right field and a groundout to the shortstop on Sunday. He is 0-for-5 through his two games.

? Starting pitcher Andrew Abbott, who is behind others in camp as a precaution as he deals with a left shoulder strain, hasn't been scheduled yet to face hitters in live BP. Abbott missed the two previous days because he was sick but returned to camp on Sunday.

“We’re going to see what these last two days did to him,” Francona said. “We’ll see how he’s feeling.”

? Infielder Spencer Steer (right shoulder) is scheduled to begin throwing on Monday.