Salem Community High School graduate and former Quincy University standout Riley Martin reached a major career milestone on Monday afternoon, making his Major League Baseball debut for the Chicago Cubs against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field.
Martin entered the game in the bottom of the eighth inning with Chicago trailing 6–3 and immediately demonstrated composure on the mound. He recorded his first MLB out against 2025 All-Star Junior Caminero, working through a competitive five-pitch at-bat before inducing a pop-up in foul territory near third base on a 90 mph slider.
He then allowed an infield single to Chandler Simpson, one of the fastest players in the league, on a 1–0 slider. Undeterred, Martin quickly regained control, jumping ahead of catcher Nick Fortes 0–2 with consecutive fastballs before inducing a 4–6–3 double play. Gold Glove infielders Nico Hoerner and Dansby Swanson completed the play to end the inning.
Martin closed his debut with a scoreless frame, allowing just one hit while throwing 10 pitches, seven of them strikes—an efficient and poised first appearance on the Major League stage.
