The Arizona Diamondbacks are reportedly close to finalizing a five-year, $18 million contract extension for young reliever Justin Martinez, pending a physical. This deal is expected to cover all of Martinez's arbitration-eligible years and includes club options for the first two years of his potential free agency, valued at $7 million in 2030 and $9 million in 2031. At just 23 years old, Martinez had an impressive first full season in the majors in 2024, posting a 2.48 ERA with 91 strikeouts over 72⅔ innings.

Boasting one of the fastest fastballs in the league that averages 100.3 mph, Martinez's pitching arsenal includes a splitter and slider with whiff rates of 54% and 45.1%, respectively. Despite a previous elbow surgery in 2021, he is a strong candidate for the Diamondbacks' closer role this season, competing against left-hander A.J. Puk.