Rangers Put Chris Martin on 15-Day Injured List with Shoulder Fatigue
The Texas Rangers announced on Tuesday that they placed right-handed reliever Chris Martin (shoulder) on the 15-day injured list (retroactive to May 19) with right-shoulder fatigue and recalled right-hander Cole Winn from Triple-A Round Rock in a corresponding move. Martin has also dealt with a right-elbow injury recently, but it will be his shoulder that sidelines him for the next couple of weeks. The 38-year-old veteran was forced to exit his last outing early on Saturday. It's a tough break for the Rangers bullpen, as Martin has been a key high-leverage reliever in 2025, sporting a 1.83 ERA (1.88 FIP), a 0.91 WHIP, one save, 23 strikeouts and only three walks in 19 2/3 innings out of the bullpen. Until Martin is able to return, the Rangers will be forced to rely on Robert Garcia and Jacob Webb more in setup roles in front of closer Luke Jackson.
Texas Rangers right-handed reliever Chris Martin (elbow) said his MRI results were positive and he will attempt to play catch before the team's game on Wednesday against the visiting Colorado Rockies at Globe Life Field. Martin was listed on the lineup card for the series finale, but it's unclear if he'll actually be available out of the bullpen after he was forced to leave with a trainer after throwing just one pitch in the ninth inning on Tuesday. The 38-year-old appears to have avoided a major injury and should be considered day-to-day for now. Closer Luke Jackson (hand) took a comebacker off his hand on Monday but also avoided a major injury, so the Rangers dodged two bullets with two of their best high-leverage arms this week. Through 20 relief outings this year for Texas, Martin has been great, posting a 1.93 ERA, a 0.96 WHIP, one save, 23 K's and only three walks in 18 2/3 innings.
Chris Martin Removed From Tuesday's Outing With "Elbow Tightness"
Texas Rangers right-handed reliever Chris Martin (elbow) left his outing early on Tuesday against the visiting Colorado Rockies with "elbow tightness," according to manager Bruce Bochy. Martin came in for the save opportunity on Tuesday at Globe Life Field with the Rangers up 4-1 and threw just one pitch, giving up a hit, before departing with an elbow injury. It didn't look good, but we'll know more once the team sends the 38-year-old veteran for additional testing. After Martin left, Shawn Armstrong came in to close things out with three strikeouts in a clean inning of work for his first save of the year. Regular closer Luke Jackson was hit on the hand by a comebacker on Monday night, which is why he was unavailable on Tuesday, but X-rays came back and he's day-to-day. If Martin's injury is serious, expect Armstrong, Jacob Webb and Robert Garcia to see additional late-inning opportunities for Texas.
Texas Rangers reliever Chris Martin struck out two over a scoreless inning to earn the save in Saturday's 4-3 win over the Boston Red Sox. Martin entered the ninth inning to protect a one-run lead. The 38-year-old quick work of the Red Sox, retiring all three batters he faced on 13 pitches to earn his first save of the season. The Rangers used Luke Jackson for the team's save opportunity on Friday but opted to utilize Martin after Jackson pitched in the team's first two games. Martin has yet to allow a run with a 0.41 WHIP and four strikeouts over 2 1/3 innings in 2025. The Rangers will likely use a closer-by-committee approach between Martin and Jackson to handle ninth-inning duties. Fantasy managers searching for saves or playing in leagues that count holds as a category can add Martin off the waiver wire.
Texas Rangers relief pitcher Chris Martin (illness) made his spring debut on Sunday afternoon against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Martin was battling the flu during the early part of camp. In this contest, the 38-year-old tossed a clean frame. He tallied one punchout and did not allow a baserunner. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status during camp as he could contend for save opportunities in the Texas bullpen that lacks a proven closer. Last season, Martin logged 44 1/3 innings with the Boston Red Sox. He tallied 50 strikeouts and held a 3.45 ERA with a 1.13 WHIP. He generated an elite 4.1 percent barrel rate and a 35.1 percent hard-hit rate, which were both well above the average marks. He also showed elite command, serving up walks at a near-perfect 1.7 percent rate. Robert Garcia (forearm) and Jacob Webb are other candidates to see save opportunities in Texas.
According to Jeff Wilson of DLLS Sports, Texas Rangers pitcher Chris Martin (illness) is dealing with the flu but has been able to play catch. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status in case he is unable to pitch in the early spring training games. Last season, the 38-year-old logged 44 1/3 innings with the Boston Red Sox. Across this stint, Martin posted a 3.45 ERA with a 1.13 WHIP. He held a strong 27.8 percent strikeout rate and showed elite command of his pitches with a 1.7 percent walk rate. He also generated an excellent 4.1 percent barrel rate, which was well above the average mark. The 38-year-old has a strong chance to open the season as the primary closer in Texas as they were unable to resign Kirby Yates, who had ninth-inning duties last summer. Robert Garcia, Jacob Webb, and potentially starting pitcher Jon Gray could also be deployed in high-leverage situations.
Free-agent right-handed reliever Chris Martin and the Texas Rangers agreed to an undisclosed one-year major-league deal on Monday. Martin isn't a sexy signing, but the tall right-hander should be a key acquisition for high-leverage situations near the back of the bullpen in 2025. The 38-year-old veteran spent the past two years with the Boston Red Sox, posting a very strong 2.16 ERA (2.60 FIP) with five saves, a 1.08 WHIP and a 96:11 K:BB in 95 2/3 innings over 100 relief appearances. With Robert Garcia and Jacob Webb being Texas' current top setup arms in their bullpen, there's a realistic chance that Martin could see more save chances in his new digs, depending on what other additions Texas may make to their relief corps before spring training. With a career-best and league-best 1.7% walk rate in 2024 and an opportunity, Martin could be an asset in both saves and holds leagues.
According to Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News, the Texas Rangers have interest in free-agent relief pitcher Chris Martin. Last season in Boston, the 38-year-old held a 3.45 ERA and a 1.13 WHIP across 44 1/3 innings of relief. He struck out batters a solid 27.8% rate and showed elite command with a near-perfect 1.7% walk rate. He also generated an above-average 3.41 xERA and 35.0% hard-hit rate. Martin spent time with Texas earlier in his career during the 2018 and 2019 seasons. If Martin were to sign with Texas, he would likely be deployed as a late-inning reliever. Currently, the Rangers do not have a top ninth-inning option but have expressed interest in re-signing Kirby Yates. If they do not, Martin could mix in for save opportunities if they come to a contract agreement.
While the Boston Red Sox have no interest in re-signing closer Kenley Jansen after he skipped the final series of the season to return home early, Boston reportedly is interested in bringing back right-handed reliever Chris Martin. The 38-year-old veteran has a 2.16 ERA in 100 appearances for the BoSox the last two years combined. He is expected to be seeking just a one-year deal because he plans on hanging up his cleats after the 2025 campaign. Martin missed some time this past year due to right-elbow inflammation and finished with a 3-1 record, 3.45 ERA (2.78 FIP), a 1.13 WHIP, two saves, 50 strikeouts and only three walks in 44 1/4 innings out of the bullpen. With Jansen unlikely to return to Beantown, too, there's a chance Martin could be used more in save chances in 2025 if he re-signs with Boston for the final year of his career.
Chris Martin Feels Good After Bullpen, Nearing Return
Boston Red Sox relief pitcher Chris Martin (elbow) felt good after his bullpen session on Saturday, according to Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic. McCaffrey further expressed that there is a chance Martin will be activated off the 15-day IL on Wednesday instead of embarking on a rehab assignment. The 38-year-old hit the injured list in early July due to right elbow inflammation. If Martin continues to progress well through the early part of the week, he may avoid a rehab assignment altogether. Prior to the injury, Martin held a 3.42 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, and a 2:29 BB:K ratio. While Martin should return to a high-leverage roll, he could contend for save opportunities as Kenley Jansen has blown two saves in his past five outings.
Chris Martin
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Rangers
