Nick Martinez just wants to be a starting pitcher in the league. That is all he wants to do, and he has more than proven himself during his time with the San Diego Padres this season.
With multiple members of the Padres rotation out for the season due to injury, Martinez has been given a chance to show what he can do. He is back to starting games, and he is enjoying every minute of it.
“There are things that I love from both,” he said. “I love the preparation, I love the mind games that come with starting. And I love the adrenaline that comes with relieving. I feel like I have a lot of fun with it and am able to kind of tap into both in different times. ... “I love starting, man."
The veteran pitcher has shown that he is willing to do whatever it takes to help the team win, but he also isn’t shy about his preference.
“I love starting, man,” he said.
On the season, Martinez holds an ERA of 3.84 and he has struck out 90 batters in 98.1 innings of work. He has only started six games but will be getting more chances over the last few weeks.
Manager Bob Melvin spoke about his pitcher, and the versatility that he brings to the table each game.
“He’s also been good to really good at times,” manager Bob Melvin said Sunday morning when Martinez’s rough stretch (16 runs in 20 innings over 10 games mid-summer) was mentioned. “… I think he’s one of the more versatile pitchers in the game. He’s up for anything and makes no excuses.”
Martinez could be in line for a nice payday this winter, but San Diego does hold the power of an option after this season. It would pay him $16 million each of the next few years. Martinez has that he hasn’t thought about next season, and is still focusing on finishing the year strong.
“Honest truth, I haven’t looked to next year,” Martinez said. “The first reaction is I think I’m valuable. I can start, I can relieve. I can throw high-leverage situations. I have fun. I love these guys in this clubhouse. This team makes it easy for me to kind of put myself out there.”
With the season winding down, Martinez will get a few more chances to show what he can do as a starting pitcher. It will be a big step for him, and possibly help his cause for next year wherever he goes.
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