MLB Rumors: 5-Year Veteran Pitcher Elects Free Agency

Right-hander Seth Martinez has elected free agency after clearing waivers, ending a whirlwind season with the Miami Marlins. 

The 31-year-old was designated for assignment to make room for Ryan Weathers’ return from the injured list. While Miami attempted to outright him to Triple-A Jacksonville, Martinez rejected the move, exercising his right as a player who has previously been outrighted in his career.

A Journeyman Season

Martinez pitched just 6.2 innings for the Marlins this year, allowing four runs on four hits and three walks with four strikeouts. He spent most of 2025 in Triple-A, where he turned in a solid 3.71 ERA with a strong 28.9% strikeout rate across 43.2 innings. 

Once a steady reliever for the Houston Astros, Martinez logged 81.2 innings for them between 2022 and 2023 with a respectable 3.75 ERA. However, his strikeout rate dipped last season, and he exhausted his minor league options, bouncing between the Arizona Diamondbacks, Seattle Mariners, and Marlins before settling in Miami this summer.

RHP Seth Martinez elected free agency. https://t.co/EHzTq4Iv6z

— MLB Roster Moves (@MLBRosterMoves_) September 15, 2025

What’s Next for Martinez?

Over five major league seasons, Martinez has compiled a 4.00 ERA in 144 innings, relying more on command and movement than velocity. His 2025 fastball averaged just 90.1 mph, a career low, but he continued to generate strikeouts in the minors despite diminished velocity. 

With the season nearing its end, Martinez may remain unsigned until the winter, when he’s likely to draw interest on a minor league deal. His track record as a serviceable reliever and his ability to miss bats in the minors suggest he could still be a depth option for a pitching-needy club in 2026.

Photo Credit: Kelley L Cox-Imagn Images