Swingman Nick Martinez gave a big boost to the Cincinnati Reds' 2025 pitching plans when he accepted a $21 million qualifying offer to return.

As soon as Cincinnati Reds catcher Tyler Stephenson heard a report that right-hander Nick Martinez would likely accept the one-year, $21.05 million qualifying offer to return in 2025, he fired off a text to the pitcher to see if the report was accurate. Martinez texted him back and then confirmed it to the players’ group text.

Pitcher Nick Martinez is accepting a $21.05 million qualifying offer from Cincinnati and will remain with the Reds rather than pursuing the free-agent market.

In a decision that likely settles offseason questions about filling the Reds rotation, free-agent pitcher Nick Martinez has accepted the club's qualifying offer to return for the 2025 season. Martinez also did not rule out the possibility of staying longer.

Cincinnati Reds pitcher Nick Martinez was the only one of 13 free agents who received qualifying offers from their teams to take the $21.05 million.

Right-hander Nick Martinez accepted the Cincinnati Reds ' $21.05 million qualifying offer, multiple outlets reported Monday. Martinez, 34, opted to stay put after a breakout season in which he finished 10-7 with a 3.10 ERA in 42 games in16 starts and struck out 116 batters in 142 1/3 innings.

Of the 144 players who've received a qualifying offer since the system was implemented in 2012, Martinez is just the 14th to accept one.

Right-hander Nick Martinez accepted the Cincinnati Reds' $21.05 million qualifying offer, multiple outlets reported Monday.