TAMPA, Fla. —\u00a0The Tampa Bay Rays acquired pitcher Nick Martinez on Monday, agreeing to a $13 million, one-year contract with the versatile right-hander.<\/p>\n
The deal was first announced after a person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the agreement was pending a physical.<\/p>\n
The deal includes a mutual option for the 2027 season.<\/p>\n
What You Need To Know<\/p>\n
Rays acquired pitcher Nick Martinez on Monday, agreeing to a $13 million, one-year contract with the versatile right-hander
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Martinez went 11-14 with a 4.45 ERA in 26 starts and 14 relief appearances with Cincinnati last year
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The deal is still pending a physical<\/p>\n
The 35-year-old Martinez went 11-14 with a 4.45 ERA in 26 starts and 14 relief appearances with Cincinnati last year. He finished with a career-high 165 2\/3 innings.<\/p>\n
Tampa Bay had a 77-85 record in 2025 in its second consecutive losing season. It signed left-hander\u00a0Steven Matz<\/a>\u00a0to a $15 million, two-year contract and traded right-hander\u00a0Shane Baz<\/a>\u00a0to Baltimore in December.<\/p>\n Speaking carefully because the team had not confirmed the agreement, manager Kevin Cash said he had heard Martinez is unselfish and a \u201cfirst-class personality.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIf we were fortunate enough to be able to add him to our club, I look at him being able to provide meaningful starter innings for us,\u201d Cash said. \u201cSo excited by the rumors.\u201d<\/p>\n The Rays\u2019 pitchers and catchers are slated to have their first spring training workout on Thursday. The team\u2019s first full-squad workout is scheduled for Feb. 17.<\/p>\n Martinez was selected by Texas in the 18th round of the 2011 amateur draft out of Fordham. He made his big league debut with the Rangers in 2014.<\/p>\n