Diamondbacks agree to extend young reliever Justin Martinez

The Arizona Diamondbacks and relief pitcher Justin Martinez have agreed to terms on a five-year contract extension, Arizona Sports’ John Gambadoro confirmed on Friday.

Moises Fabian of Mega 97.9 FM first reported the deal, which is worth $18 million over five seasons.

The deal would forgo the arbitration process for Martinez down the road, and he has just over a year of MLB service time entering 2025. Fabian reported there is a pair of club options for a sixth and seventh season, as well.

Here are the details on the Justin Martinez contract. It is a 5-year deal for $18 million with a $2 million signing bonus and $16 million spread out over 5 years. There are two club option years at $7 and $9 million.

— John Gambadoro (@Gambo987) March 21, 2025

Martinez broke out last year at 22 years old, pitching 72.2 innings with a 2.48 ERA, 91 strikeouts and 36 walks. He led Arizona’s relievers in innings pitched despite starting the year in Triple-A Reno.

The right-hander saved eight games as the Diamondbacks trusted him in high-leverage situations throughout the second half, although he was never given the closer title.

Arizona enters the 2025 season without a named closer once again, and Martinez figures to receive ample opportunities to capture that role.

“He’s worked his tail off during the offseason to be more consistent,” D-backs bullpen coach Wellington Cepeda told Arizona Sports earlier this spring. “Cutting the walks is something that we talk about, especially against lefties, and he’s working on it. He’s really confident and he wants the ball, he wants to pitch every day. So I like those attitudes. So I think he’s going to be really helpful for the team.”

His stuff is overwhelming with a triple-digit heater, devastating splitter and plus slider, and his command last season improved significantly. He hit 103.5 mph this spring with a fastball.

Opponents hit .098 against his splitter and .178 versus his slider last season, as Martinez has shown he does not have to blow the fastball by hitters to record outs.

"Video Game Stuff" 🕹️

from Justin Martínez pic.twitter.com/SMfyS1wN3N

— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) July 5, 2024

He made his MLB debut in 2023, showing electric stuff but command issues led to 14 runs in 10 innings with 11 walks. Last year, he was called up to the big leagues twice in April and never went back down.

“The separator for me is his desire to get better, his ability to be a teammate, accept that coaching and just continue to stay very motivated,” manager Torey Lovullo said on Friday, although he did not comment on the extension before it becomes official. “He’s going to be a really good player for us for a long time.”

Martinez signed with the Diamondbacks in 2018 out of the Dominican Republic, a newer pitcher having grown up playing the field.

Martinez is one of two Diamondbacks to agree to an extension this spring, as shortstop Geraldo Perdomo inked a four-year, $45 million deal with a coub option tacked onto the end.

Justin Martinez ⛽️⛽️ pic.twitter.com/mUsGNG6A2y

— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) February 25, 2025

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