Cubs sign reliever Martin to minor-league deal with spring invite
The Cubs signed reliever Martin to a minor-league contract with a spring training invite; he figures to compete for a bullpen spot but likely opens 2026 in Triple-A Iowa.
The Chicago Cubs added 30-year-old reliever Martin to their organization on a minor-league contract that includes an invitation to major-league spring training. The move gives the club another veteran arm to evaluate in camp and hands Triple-A Iowa a likely experienced bullpen piece to start the season.
Martin spent last season in the Baltimore organization, making 17 appearances out of the Orioles' bullpen. He posted a 6.00 ERA over 18 innings while striking out 23 bats and walking nine, showing the swing-and-miss ability that teams covet even as his run prevention numbers lagged. After missing the entire 2023 campaign following lat surgery, Martin has settled into a full-time relief role for the past two seasons and looks to rebuild momentum in a fresh environment.
A minor-league deal with a spring invite is a familiar route for relievers like Martin: it gives the player a non-roster path to win a bullpen job in camp while preserving organizational depth if he starts the year in Triple-A. For Cubs fans and Iowa followers, that means Martin will be a name to track during spring training battles; while a spot on Chicago's Opening Day roster is possible, the expectation is that he will be ticketed to Triple-A Iowa to begin 2026 unless he outperforms incumbents in camp.
The practical value for Triple-A communities is immediate. Iowa gains a reliever with recent big-league innings experience who can handle high-leverage situations and provide a veteran presence for younger arms. For Cubs brass, Martin represents low-risk upside: the strikeout-to-walk ratio from last season suggests swing-and-miss stuff that could be refined, while his comeback from lat surgery is a reminder that health and workload management will be central to his evaluation.
What to watch in camp: velocity and command consistency early in bullpen sessions, how he fares against right-handed contact, and whether the Cubs use him in multi-inning relief stints or leverage roles. Strong showings against major-league hitters would force the front office to consider him for a non-roster spot; otherwise, he becomes high-upside depth for Iowa and a first call if Chicago needs bullpen reinforcements during the season.
The takeaway? Martin's signing is a classic depth-plus-opportunity move that benefits both the Cubs and Triple-A Iowa. Our two cents? Keep an eye on spring training leaderboards and early exhibition work, if his strikeout rate holds and the walks come down, Iowa fans might see a reliever ready for another big-league audition sooner than later.
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