In a promising development for the Arizona Diamondbacks, relief pitcher Justin Martinez is making excellent progress in his rehabilitation from Tommy John surgery and is on track for a return next month. Meanwhile, the team is gearing up for an intense four-game series against the San Diego Padres, with important pitching duels scheduled to take place.
Baseball Bulletin: Martinez's Rehabilitation and Upcoming Series Details
San Diego, California – The Diamondbacks' right-handed fireballer, Justin Martinez, is nearing his much-anticipated return to the mound. According to manager Torey Lovullo, Martinez has completed at least a dozen bullpen sessions and is slated to face live hitters in batting practice as early as next week. Following these sessions, a comprehensive imaging review will determine his readiness for a minor-league rehabilitation assignment. Lovullo expressed confidence that Martinez's return is imminent, likely occurring in August, highlighting his reliever's strong desire to contribute to the team's success. Martinez has consistently demonstrated high-90s fastball velocity in his recent practice sessions.
Martinez's journey back to the major leagues follows Tommy John surgery, placing him as one of three pitchers expected to rejoin the team after elbow procedures this season. However, both right-hander Corbin Burnes and left-hander A.J. Puk have encountered setbacks in their respective recovery processes.
Looking ahead, the Diamondbacks are set for a four-game series against the San Diego Padres. The opening game, scheduled for July 7, 2026, at Petco Park at 6:40 p.m. PST, will feature a pitching matchup between Arizona's Zac Gallen (3-8, 6.36 ERA) and San Diego's German Marquez (3-2, 5.79 ERA). Gallen's recent performance has been challenging, allowing 36 earned runs over his last seven starts. His previous encounter with the Padres saw him exit early after being hit by a comebacker. Marquez, who has made seven appearances with six starts, last pitched in relief, giving up two runs in three innings against the Dodgers.
The series continues on July 8, 2026, at 7:10 p.m. PST, with Jose Cabrera (0-1, 4.73 ERA) starting for the Diamondbacks against Michael King (5-7, 3.52 ERA) for the Padres. On July 9, 2026, Merrill Kelly (6-8, 5.71 ERA) will take the mound for Arizona, facing Griffin Canning (1-6, 6.71 ERA) of the Padres at 6:40 p.m. PST. Finally, the Diamondbacks will travel to Los Angeles on July 10, 2026, for a 7:10 p.m. PST game, where Eduardo Rodriguez (7-3, 2.25 ERA) will pitch against the Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani (8-2, 1.79 ERA).
This series and Martinez's impending return are pivotal moments for the Diamondbacks. The team hopes that Martinez's powerful arm will bolster their bullpen, providing a crucial late-game advantage. The upcoming games against the Padres will also test the team's resilience and strategy against strong divisional rivals, setting the tone for the remainder of their season.
