The Arizona Diamondbacks' 2025 playoff hopes take a hit as closer Justin Martinez is lost for the season to Tommy John surgery. How will Torey Lovullo adapt?
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
It's the news every Diamondbacks fan was dreading. On a day the team prepared to battle the Blue Jays, the organization confirmed its worst fears: closer Justin Martinez will undergo Tommy John surgery, officially ending his 2025 season and sidelining him for a significant portion of 2026. The announcement sends shockwaves through a bullpen that had just welcomed him back, forcing the club to confront a massive challenge in their ongoing playoff push.
It's the news we were all dreading. Closer Justin Martinez will undergo Tommy John surgery, sidelining him for the rest of 2025 and a large chunk of 2026.
The confirmation of Tommy John surgery for Justin Martinez is a devastating development. After a brief reinstatement from the injured list, the hope was that the hard-throwing righty could avoid a major procedure. Instead, he joins Corbin Burnes as another key arm lost for the year. Martinez was a vital piece at the back end of the bullpen, and his absence creates a gaping hole that the D-backs must now scramble to fill internally, as no immediate transactions have been made. The 'next man up' philosophy is about to be tested in the most high-leverage situations imaginable.
If there's a silver lining, it's the steady hand of Manager Torey Lovullo. He has masterfully navigated a season plagued by significant injuries, keeping a 36-35 club firmly in the hunt. Despite losing two of his most important pitchers, Lovullo has the Diamondbacks playing competitive baseball, reflected in their 23.7% chance to make the postseason as of today. His ability to maintain morale and strategize around these major losses will be more critical than ever down the stretch.
While the mood on the big league pitching front is somber, there's excitement brewing in Triple-A Reno. Top prospect Jordan Lawlar continues to tear it up, recently putting on a show with a three-hit, three-RBI performance. While he can't pitch out of the bullpen, Lawlar's hot bat represents a potential jolt of energy for the club should they need an offensive boost or infield depth later this summer. His continued development is a crucial bright spot for the organization's future.
The games, however, wait for no one. Tonight, the Diamondbacks must put the bad news behind them as they face the Blue Jays in Toronto. Southpaw Eduardo Rodriguez (2-3) gets the ball, tasked with setting a positive tone against a tough opponent. With the bullpen suddenly in flux, a strong, deep start from Rodriguez is paramount. This series is no longer just another interleague matchup; it's the first test of the team's resolve in the post-Martinez era.
The loss of Justin Martinez is a brutal blow, no question. But this team has shown grit all season. Now, more than ever, they'll need to rely on Torey Lovullo's steady hand, hope for a spark from the farm system, and demand more from every arm in that bullpen. The fight for October just got significantly harder, but it's far from over. All eyes are on how they respond.
