Justin Martinez Poised for Return to Diamondbacks Bullpen

Progress Report on the Right‑Hander

Right‑hander Justin Martinez is closing in on a return for the Diamondbacks, with manager Torey Lovullo indicating the former top reliever could face hitters as early as next week. After Tommy John surgery, Martinez has thrown at least a dozen bullpen sessions and is slated for live batting practice in the coming days. Imaging will follow, then a minor‑league rehab stint, putting his debut sometime in August. Lovullo called the recovery “imminent” and said Martinez is “charging very hard,” while noting the starter is already topping the upper‑90s on his fastball in side sessions.

The pitcher was expected to be the third of three arms back from elbow surgery this season, but Corbin Burnes and A.J. Puk have each hit bumps, making Martinez’s health especially valuable. His readiness adds depth to a bullpen that needs closing help. Lovullo praised his “unbelievable energy” and said Martinez is eager to nail down late‑inning duties and help the team win games.

What His Return Means for Arizona

With Martinez set to rejoin the roster, the Diamondbacks gain a reliable arm for the second half of the season. His upper‑90s fastball and experience in high‑leverage situations give manager Lovullo an extra option to mix into the bullpen’s rotation. The timing lines up nicely ahead of a crucial stretch that includes a four‑game series against the Padres.

The Padres have a solid rotational nucleus, highlighted by right‑hander German Marquez, who sports a 3‑2 record and a 5.79 ERA this year. The DBacks will counter with Zac Gallen, a veteran pitcher sitting at 3‑8 with a 6.36 ERA, who has been impacted by a rough stretch of late‑inning trouble.

Recent Struggles in the Rotation

Gallen has been rocked, allowing 36 earned runs in 37⅔ innings over his last seven starts. He notched four strong innings against the Giants before faltering in the fifth and sixth, giving up three runs each frame. He has faced the Padres once this season, throwing three scoreless innings in Mexico City before leaving early after a comebacker struck his right shoulder.

Marquez has appeared seven times, six as a starter, and saw his last outing come in relief at Dodger Stadium, where he surrendered two runs over three innings. Both pitchers will look to rebound when they clash at Petco Park.

Diamondbacks vs Padres Series Preview

• Wednesday, July 8 (7:10 p.m.) – Diamondbacks RHP Jose Cabrera (0‑1, 4.73) vs. Padres RHP Michael King (5‑7, 3.52)
• Thursday, July 9 (6:40 p.m.) – Diamondbacks RHP Merrill Kelly (6‑8, 5.71) vs. Padres RHP Griffin Canning (1‑6, 6.71)
• Friday, July 10 (7:10 p.m.) – Diamondbacks LHP Eduardo Rodriguez (7‑3, 2.25) vs. Dodgers RHP Shohei Ohtani (8‑2, 1.79)

The final game pits Rodriguez against the Los Angeles Dodgers, with Ohtani anchoring the host pitching staff.

Diamondbacks RHP Zac Gallen (3-8, 6.36) vs. Padres RHP German Marquez (3-2, 5.79).

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At Petco Park: Gallen gave up six runs in 5⅔ innings against the Giants last week. His outing started with four impressive innings in which he retired 12 of 13 batters, but ended with three runs apiece in the fifth and sixth innings. … It extended a brutal stretch of games for Gallen, who has allowed 36 earned runs in 37⅔ innings over his past seven starts. … Gallen has faced the Padres once this season, throwing three scoreless innings in Mexico City in a start in which he exited early after being struck on the right shoulder by a comebacker. … This is the spot in the Padres’ rotation usually occupied by RHP Randy Vasquez, but he landed on the injured list last week with a right ankle contusion. … Marquez has made seven appearances, six of them starts. His last outing came in relief, in which he gave up two runs in three innings at Dodger Stadium.

Coming up

Wednesday, July 8: At San Diego, 7:10 p.m., Diamondbacks RHP Jose Cabrera (0-1, 4.73) vs. Padres RHP Michael King (5-7, 3.52).

Thursday, July 9: At San Diego, 6:40 p.m., Diamondbacks RHP Merrill Kelly (6-8, 5.71) vs. Padres RHP Griffin Canning (1-6, 6.71).

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Friday, July 10: At Los Angeles, 7:10 p.m., Diamondbacks LHP Eduardo Rodriguez (7-3, 2.25) vs. Dodgers RHP Shohei Ohtani (8-2, 1.79).

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Diamondbacks at Padres updates. Justin Martinez making progress