Cincinnati Reds outfielder Nick Martini (thumb) started a minor-league rehab assignment with Triple-A Louisville on Saturday and hit two home runs on Sunday for the Bats. Martini is recovering from a left-thumb sprain that has kept him out since July 6. As long as he doesn't suffer a setback while playing in rehab games in the minors, Martini figures to be able to rejoin the Reds' big-league roster before the end of September. The 34-year-old former seventh-round pick by the St. Louis Cardinals in 2011 out of Kansas State has mostly been a bench outfielder for Cincinnati in 2024, hitting .212/.272/.370 with five home runs, 24 RBI and 23 runs scored in 146 at-bats. The left-handed-hitting outfielder has a .252 career average in his five major-league seasons with only 13 home runs and 70 RBI in 193 games played with the Reds, A's, Padres and Cubs.

Cincinnati Reds manager David Bell said that both outfielder Nick Martini (thumb) and reliever Ian Gibaut (calf, forearm) have minor-league rehab assignments scheduled. Martini is hoping to start his rehab assignment on Sept. 17 with Triple-A Louisville as he recovers from thumb surgery on his left thumb that he had in early July. With only a few weeks left in the 2024 regular season, though, it wouldn't be a surprise if we didn't see either Martini or Gibaut back for the Reds before the end of September. Gibaut, meanwhile, is scheduled to start his rehab assignment on Sept. 15 with Louisville. The 30-year-old veteran hasn't pitched at all in 2024 after having forearm surgery, and he recently had a setback when he suffered a calf strain. Because of all the time he's missed this year, Gibaut is going to need at least several outings in the minors leagues. Fantasy managers can ignore both.

Cincinnati Reds outfielder Nick Martini (thumb) had surgery on his left thumb to fix ligaments and will likely be out until September, according to manager David Bell. The Reds have had pretty bad injury luck with their outfielders this year, with Martini the latest to get hurt last weekend. The good news for Cincy is they got Jake Fraley back from personal leave on Wednesday and should get TJ Friedl (hamstring) back from the injured list shortly after the All-Star break. The 34-year-old former seventh-round selection of the St. Louis Cardinals in 2011 out of Kansas State served in a reserve outfield role before his injury and was hitting just .212/.272/.370 with a .641 OPS, five home runs, 24 RBI and 23 runs in 146 at-bats. Martini can likely be dumped in NL-only leagues.

Cincinnati Reds outfielders Jake Fraley and Nick Martini are both sitting out on Monday versus a left-handed hitter. Fraley is fantasy relevant in mixed leagues because of his dominance against right-handed pitching, but he's been on the bench for two of the first four games against left-handed pitchers. The 28-year-old has otherwise started hot, getting a hit in five of his first eight at-bats of the year with a stolen base and two runs scored for the Reds. Martini is also on the bench for the second time against a lefty, but he went 4-for-8 with two home runs and seven RBI in the two games he's playing to open things up. Will Benson is in right field and is batting ninth, while Stuart Fairchild is in center for the Reds and is hitting seventh on Monday against Phillies left-hander Cristopher Sanchez.

Cincinnati Reds designated hitter Nick Martini was 2-for-5 with two home runs in Thursday's 8-2 Opening Day win over the Nationals. Hitting out of the eighth spot in the lineup, the lefty also had five RBI and 2 runs scored. The former seventh-round MLB draft pick is projected to be the Reds' DH against RHP, and has produced some nice power numbers in the past. Martini hit six long balls and had a 19.4% HR/FB% with a 10.5% Barrel% last season in limited action (72 AB). He also showed a high contact rate of 84.6% and a low K% of 19.0% in 2023, both better than league average. The 33-year-old blasted four home runs in just 36 spring at-bats as well. With injuries aplenty to the Reds lineup he could get regular playing time and is already in a position to exceed his five home run ATC projection for 2024. The power alone makes him worthy of a roster spot in deeper leagues, but the excitement and momentum may have to be put on hold until Sunday, as the Reds have a day off Friday and face lefty Patrick Corbin on Saturday.