Overview
- The one-year contract guarantees a $9 million 2026 salary and includes a $20 million mutual option for 2027 with a $4 million buyout.
- To open a 40-man spot, the Rays placed reliever Manny Rodriguez on the 60-day injured list as he recovers from right elbow surgery.
- Martinez, 35, logged 165 2/3 innings for the Reds in 2025 with a 4.45 ERA across 26 starts and 14 relief outings.
- Baseball operations chief Erik Neander described Martinez as a veteran stabilizer with starter-reliever versatility, and the club is targeting roughly 30–32 starts for him.
- The move adds depth around Ryan Pepiot, Drew Rasmussen, Shane McClanahan and newcomer Steven Matz, a group with recent injury and workload limitations that outside analysts say could excel if healthy.