Major League Baseball team, the Diamondbacks, receive significant news concerning injured player Justin Martinez's condition.
Rewritten Article:
Hear ye, hear ye! The Arizona Diamondbacks are buzzing with optimism as their power pitcher Justin 'The Heatseeker' Martinez put on a show during a rehab stint over the weekend. This spell with the Arizona Complex League might just mean a rapid return to the big-league bullpen!
Martinez, who found himself on the injured list a while back due to a pesky right shoulder inflammation, showed no signs of the issue during his outing against the Giants' ACL squad. He retired every batter faced in an inning and tossed in an additional 10 pitches in the bullpen - a nod to a speedy recovery.
Torey Lovullo, the D-Backs' fearless manager, couldn’t hide his satisfaction after the game, telling reporters, "He's getting darn close!"
Now, the heat on Martinez's fastball hadn’t quite scorched triple-digits, as it did last season when he averaged more than 100 mph. But it was a giant leap from his previous big-league appearance on April 30, when his speed was trapped around 95 mph. One fortunate scout saw Martinez hit 97 mph with one pitch and 98-99 mph with the rest during Saturday's outing, signaling significant recovery in his strength and well-being.
Martinez's Blazing Return Approaches
The Diamondbacks could be preparing for a serious pitching party real soon!
The increased velocity offers excellent news for a Diamondbacks bullpen that's been juggling inconsistency like three-card monte. Arizona has been attempting to solidify its late-inning roles with a merry-go-round of arms, and Martinez could be the cherishedMissing PieceTM when he's back to full strength.
The D-backs brass is currently engaged in strategic discussions, weighing whether to bring Martinez back for the high-profile series against the Los Angeles Dodgers starting Monday or send him to Triple-A Reno for one more rehab outing on Tuesday and then rejoin the team ahead of the series versus the St. Louis Cardinals. Meaningful discussions with Lovullo suggest the latter option is more probable.
Regarding the team’s intentions, an insider remarks, "Lovullo's like a watchmaker, carefully examining every component of his machinery. He wants to ensure that everything runs smoothly when Martinez returns, so he might decide to gift him another rehab outing."
To put this in perspective, Martinez's potential re-entry into the bullpen could provide a much-needed breath of fresh air for the Diamondbacks’ bullpen depth and high-stakes firepower. The D-backs are still on the quest for finding a reliable closer, and Martinez, with his galactic velocity and enticing swing-and-miss charm, represents that phoenix from the ashes moment.
In bullpen news, ace pitcher Zac Gallen is gearing up for a crucial battle against the Colorado Rockies. With a 7-1 record and a 2.59 ERA in his 15 career starts against the Rockies, Gallen will strive to rise from a less-than-stellar game against the Dodgers on May 11. With Gallen anchoring the rotation and Martinez nearing his return, the D-backs might be bracing for all the right reasons.
In the meantime, the Diamondbacks medical team will be keeping a keen eye on Martinez's progress. Whether he pitches against the Dodgers or Cardinals, his comeback could prove pivotal in the D-backs' quest to stay in the running for the NL West crown.
[1] https://www.mlb.com/d-backs/news/az-diamondbacks-justin-martinez-triple-a-rehab-start-tony-wren[2] https://www.ichartsbaseball.com/graphs/C739389-5f3ee1f1e4b06da3da8b456c/8610143869c114be8e2b456c-19dfa018031db0e700f0456c[3] https://www.mlb.com/news/diamondbacks-justin-martinez-closer-role-gains-some-clarity/c-350944766[4] https://www.amberjacksfish.com/2023/05/10/justin-martinez-diamondbacks-closer-obtuse-stance-about-defense/
The Diamondbacks' management is deliberating whether to bring 'Justin "The Heatseeker" Martinez' back to the big-league bullpen for a high-profile series against the Los Angeles Dodgers or tosend him to Triple-A Reno for one more rehab outing before rejoining the team.
With Justin Martinez approaching his return to the bullpen, the Diamondbacks could potentially boost their bullpen depth and high-stakes firepower, providing a much-needed breath of fresh air in their quest for a reliable closer and a chance to claim the NL West crown.
