A key piece of the Cincinnati Reds' pitching staff last season is returning to the organization.Earlier this month, the Reds extended a qualifying offer to right-handed pitcher Nick Martinez as he was hitting free agency.By extending a qualifying offer to Martinez worth $21.05 million, the Reds would have received draft-pick compensation if he signed with another club.However, the Reds announced Tuesday that Martinez is accepting the qualifying offer and will return to pitch for the Reds in 2025. Multiple reports indicated that Martinez would accept the offer on Monday, including by MLB.com and The Associated Press. Martinez, 34, spent most of the season's first half in Cincinnati's bullpen but became an integral part of the Reds' rotation by the second half of the 2024 season.Over his final 11 starts with the Reds, dating to Aug. 5, the right-hander delivered a 2.42 ERA in 63.1 innings, while striking out 53 hitters.Martinez's $21.05 million salary next season would be the highest on the Reds, barring another addition via free agency or trade.As a result of that, Martinez could become a permanent member of the Reds' rotation in 2025, rather than split his time between starting and relief pitching.Heading into next season, the Reds currently have right-handers Hunter Greene, Rhett Lowder and Graham Ashcraft under contract, as well as left-handers Andrew Abbott and Nick Lodolo.