Report: Orelvis Martinez signs minor-league deal with Nationals

Martinez, once a top 100 prospect in the Blue Jays’ system, was released by the organization on Sep. 15 after clearing waivers. He missed the final few weeks of the triple-A season due to an undisclosed injury, causing him to finish a disappointing year on the minor-league IL.

The 23-year-old made his major league debut with Toronto last season, but only appeared in one game after receiving an 80-game PED suspension. Following his return, he spent the remainder of the campaign in Buffalo and has since struggled to recapture his shine as a highly-touted young hitter.

This past season saw Martinez endure the worst performance of his professional career, mustering only 13 home runs and 32 RBIs across 99 games with the Bisons, sporting a miserable .176/.288/.348 slash line and 73 wRC+ (100 league average). He also struck out nearly 30 per cent of the time, recording the second-highest strikeout rate of his minor-league career at any level.

Martinez will be out of options starting next season, meaning he would’ve had to either make the Blue Jays’ roster out of spring training or be exposed to waivers. Those same rules will apply to him if he’s added to the Nationals’ 40-man roster at any point in 2026.

Needing a fresh start, Martinez will look to revive his career with Washington’s triple-A affiliate next season and attempt to earn his way back to the majors on a rebuilding club already stocked with young, controllable hitters like James Wood, CJ Abrams, Dylan Crews, Robert Hassell III and Brady House.