Report: Non-tendered Martinez to sign with Nippon-Ham Fighters

Nick Martinez, the veteran right-hander who was non-tendered by the Texas Rangers earlier this offseason, will try to revive his career in Japan, agreeing to a deal Saturday with the Nippon-Ham Fighters, according to Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports.

The deal is said to be worth $1.8 million. Had Martinez been tendered a contract by the Rangers, he would've earned around $2 million in 2018 in his first season of arbitration-eligibility.

Martinez, who turns 28 in August, struggled mightily last year, managing a career-worst 5.66 ERA (83 ERA+) with a 1.37 WHIP over 18 starts and several relief appearances with Texas. Over the last four seasons with the Rangers, Martinez authored a 4.77 ERA (90 ERA+) while averaging 17 starts and five relief appearances per year.

Martinez's deal with Nippon-Ham comes barely 24 hours after the club jointly announced a new multi-year partnership agreement with the Rangers aimed to "help make huge strides and further development for both clubs," Fighters general manager Hiroshi Yoshimura said in a statement.