Report: Rays add Nick Martinez on 1-year, $13M deal

The Tampa Bay Rays and right-hander Nick Martinez agreed to a one-year, $13-million contract, a source told Mark Feinsand of MLB.com.

Martinez posted a 4.45 ERA with 1.21 WHIP and 116 strikeouts over a career-high 165 2/3 innings (26 starts) for the Cincinnati Reds last year.

The 35-year-old is one season removed from authoring a 3.10 ERA with 3.21 FIP and 7.3 K/9 over 142 1/3 innings (16 starts) in 2024. He accumulated 7.3 fWAR as a swingman with the Reds and San Diego Padres between 2022 and 2025.

However, the Rays are planning to use Martinez solely as a starter in 2026, according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today.

Martinez is projected to slot in behind Drew Rasmussen, Ryan Pepiot, and Shane McClanahan in Tampa Bay's rotation.