Yomiuri Giants star closer Raidel Martínez (2-2, 28 SV, 1.08 ERA) will start one of the two 2025 NPB All-Star Games. The Pinar del Río, Cuba native will become the second Cuban pitcher to start a game in one of these midseason classics in Japanese baseball.
Cuban Raúl Valdés, also did so in Game 1 of the 2017 edition, also representing the Central League. Martínez, who is heading to his fourth All-Star Game, made his final appearance of the first half of the season today, retiring all three batters faced via strikeout against Hanshin and earning the win during the Giants 6-5 victory over the Tigers.
For his career Martínez has saved 194 games in the NPB and also sports a 1.64 earned run average over that span. In 345 innings pitched in the Nippon League the flamethrowing right-hander has fanned 388 batters. Without a doubt the hurler is the premier closer in the Japanese circuit.
Cuban action on the day:
NPB:
Raidel Martínez (YOM): 1.0IP,0H,0ER,3K (1.08)
KBO:
Guillermo Heredia (SSG): 4-1 (.277)
CPBL:
No Cuban action on the night.