Nick Martinez led the Cincinnati Reds to a win over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Saturday with a seven-inning gem, allowing just four hits and one earned run. But his pitching isn't going to be what fans remember from the night. No. his postgame interviews were what stood out instead.

Nick Martinez pitched seven sharp innings and Noelvi Marte doubled three times as the Cincinnati Reds beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 2-1 to snap a three-game slide.

When the Reds added a starting pitcher in Zack Littell before the Trade Deadline, Nick Martinez enthusiastically accepted a bullpen role. Then, a Nick Lodolo blister on Monday moved Martinez right back into the rotation.

Cincinnati Reds lefty Nick Lodolo has a finger blister that put him on the 15-day IL. Nick Martinez is now back in the rotation.

Martinez did not factor into the decision in Friday's 10-8 loss to the Brewers, allowing six runs (five earned) on nine hits and no walks with one strikeout over 2.2 innings.

After agreeing to go to the bullpen after the Cincinnati Reds traded for starting pitcher Zack Littell, Nick Martinez will head right back to the rotation after Nick Lodolo was placed on the injured list on Tuesday with a blister issue on his finger.

With Chase Burns on the injured list for the Reds, pitching depth among the starters and in the bullpen is again a frontline issue.

Martinez makes it look easy as he flip flops from starter to reliever to starter. But for him, it’s much more of a science than an art. He always wears the Pulse sleeve on his throwing arm when he plays catch and works in the bullpen before games.

Nick Martinez's inability to tally strikeouts will result in a big night for William Contreras and Milwaukee, as our Brewers vs. Reds predictions for Friday, August 15, 2025 explain.