The Arizona Diamondbacks received encouraging news regarding reliever Justin Martinez, whose MRI revealed no structural damage—a relief for a bullpen that’s already been hit hard by injuries early in the season. The update, initially reported by Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic and later expanded on by Jody Jackson of Dbacks.TV, suggests Martinez may avoid an extended absence.
For a pitcher known for his high velocity and upside, a clean bill of health is a significant sigh of relief for both Martinez and the D-backs, who are hoping to stabilize their bullpen depth moving forward.
It’s clear that the Arizona Diamondbacks took a cautious approach with Justin Martinez, opting to give him some rest before ordering an MRI when the shoulder fatigue persisted. Martinez’s velocity dip, particularly on April 27 when his two-seam fastball was clocked at just 93.5 MPH (a significant drop from his usual velocity), raised alarms.
That sharp decline in speed was a signal that the issue was more than just fatigue, and the team moved to place him on the 15-day Injured List on May 2. While the MRI came back clean, confirming there was no structural damage, the D-backs are still faced with the challenge of managing his shoulder and ensuring his full recovery without rushing him back too soon.
Justin Martinez’s potential return as early as May 17 would be a welcome sight for the Diamondbacks, provided his throwing program goes smoothly and there are no setbacks. His 2.70 ERA over 12 games, including three saves, highlighted his effectiveness before the injury issues cropped up. Martinez’s ability to shut down hitters, particularly earlier in the season when he didn’t allow an earned run through his first 10 outings, makes him a crucial part of the bullpen.
Unfortunately, the timing of Martinez’s injury coincided with A.J. Puk’s own health struggles. Puk, who had been serving as a co-closer alongside Martinez, was placed on the injured list with elbow inflammation on April 19. Now on the 60-day IL, Puk won’t be eligible to return until June 18, further depleting the bullpen’s depth.
The combination of Martinez’s absence and Puk’s extended time away is a challenge for the Diamondbacks’ bullpen, but the hope is that Martinez’s recovery is swift and smooth enough to return in mid-May and help stabilize things.
It looks like Shelby Miller will be the first in line for save opportunities while the Diamondbacks await Martinez’s return. His experience and steady performance make him a logical choice, but the flexibility of the bullpen is key. Kevin Ginkel, Ryan Thompson, and Jalen Beeks each have the ability to step into high-leverage situations as needed, depending on availability and matchups.
Having a group of pitchers like this allows manager Torey Lovullo to mix and match based on the situation, which could help keep the bullpen strong even with the injuries to both Martinez and Puk.
