By Canadian Press on February 9, 2026.
The Tampa Bay Rays added Nick Martinez on Monday, agreeing to a $13 million, one-year contract with the right-hander, according to a person familiar with the deal. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the agreement was pending a physical. The versatile 35-year-old Martinez went 11-14 with a 4.45 ERA in 26 starts and 14 relief appearances with Cincinnati last year. He finished with a career-high 165 2/3 innings. Tampa Bay had a 77-85 record in 2025 in its second consecutive losing season. It signed left-hander Steven Matz to a $15 million, two-year contract and traded right-hander Shane Baz to Baltimore in December. The Rays’ pitchers and catchers are slated to have their first spring training workout on Thursday. The team’s first full-squad workout is scheduled for Feb. 17. ___ AP Baseball Writer Ronald Blum contributed to this report. ___ AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb Jay Cohen, The Associated Press 12