Justin Martinez’s road back is starting to look real, and for the Diamondbacks, that matters a lot.
Manager Torey Lovullo said Martinez will throw another live batting practice this week, with a rehab assignment potentially following shortly after, per Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic. If that next step goes smoothly, Arizona could be getting one of its most electric bullpen arms back sooner rather than later.
Martinez’s recovery has been a long one. He tore an elbow ligament on June 9, 2025, in a game against the Seattle Mariners and later underwent Tommy John surgery that month. The injury took away one of the hardest throwers in baseball and left a clear gap in the back end of Arizona’s bullpen, forcing other relievers into bigger late-inning jobs.
Now, the timing is lining up with a team that’s playing its best baseball of the season. The Diamondbacks swept the rival Dodgers before the All-Star break and then won a series against the Cardinals after it, a stretch that has helped Arizona look more like the balanced club many expected before injuries changed the shape of the roster.
Martinez’s return would do more than just add depth. It would help settle bullpen roles, take pressure off the starting rotation, and give the Diamondbacks another power arm for the biggest moments. That kind of presence can change how a game feels in the late innings, especially when a one-run lead is on the line.
For Arizona, this is more than a rehab update. It’s a chance to get back a pitcher who can alter the shape of the bullpen from the inside. If Martinez comes back healthy, the Diamondbacks may find their biggest upgrade was already in the organization all along.
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