The sports world is reeling as Diamondbacks right-hander Justin Martínez is set to undergo Tommy John surgery, a procedure that will sideline him for the remainder of this season and likely much of 2026. Arizona manager Torey Lovullo confirmed the News on June 14, 2025, highlighting the severity of Martínez’s right ulnar collateral ligament injury.
- Justin Martínez to undergo Tommy John surgery.
- He'll miss remainder of 2023 and part of 2026.
- Injury initially diagnosed as UCL sprain.
- Martínez had strong performance before injury.
- Arizona bullpen struggling without key pitchers.
- Conditional option activated due to surgery.
This devastating blow comes after Martínez had already been placed on the 15-day injured list due to a sprain. While not all UCL sprains necessitate surgery, the nature of his injury has led to this critical decision. With recovery typically spanning 14 to 18 months, fans are left wondering how the Diamondbacks will cope without one of their key bullpen anchors.
The implications of Martínez’s surgery extend beyond just his absence. How will the Diamondbacks adapt to this setback? The team has already faced challenges with a collective 5.21 ERA among relievers this season. Key developments include:
- Martínez’s impressive 2023 performance, with a 2.48 ERA over 72 2/3 innings.
- His five-year, $18MM extension, which now includes conditional options due to the surgery.
- A.J. Puk’s ongoing elbow issues, further straining the bullpen.
- The Diamondbacks’ current standing at 34-34, trailing 4.5 games behind a playoff spot.
As the season progresses, fans will be keen to see how the Diamondbacks address their bullpen challenges. Will they seek reinforcements at the trade deadline to bolster their playoff aspirations?
