Chris

Martin

With the Rangers suddenly looking to sell, they’re apparently hoping someone will pick up the approximately $1.3 million that Martin is still owed this season. The 40-year-old righty had been on the IL with a shoulder impingement since July 12, though he’d pitched six times on a rehab assignment. He’s given up 14 earned runs in 14 innings while healthy this year, but his velocity hasn’t really changed.

Martin has been battling a shoulder injury that cost him the entire month of June and then sidelined him again on July 12th. It’s good to see that he’s back throwing in games so quickly. He struck out one and didn’t allow a baserunner in this one. The 40-year-old could be back with the Rangers by early next week.

Martin missed the entire month of June with the same issue, returning from the injured list on July 4. Now he’s back on the shelf with no clear timeline or when he may be able to rejoin the Rangers’ bullpen. Emiliano Teodo was recalled from Triple-A Round Rock to take his place.

Martin return coincides with setup specialist Jakob Junis hitting the shelf with a hip impingement, which means he could be thrust into some high-leverage spots ahead of closer Jacob Latz right out of the gate. The 40-year-old veteran reliever is back after missing nearly five weeks with a shoulder impingement.

Martin’s absence leaves the Rangers without one of their better high-leverage arms behind Jacob Latz, who has seemingly taken over as the club’s closer. The 39-year-old veteran has dealt with shoulder issues for a couple years and is likely facing a multi-week absence.

Martin returns to Texas’ high-leverage mix for Tuesday’s contest against the Rockies after missing nearly five weeks recovering from a shoulder impingement. The 39-year-old veteran remains a highly effective late-inning arm, but he’s dealt with a plethora of physical issues in recent years, which isn’t completely unexpected at this stage of his career.

Martin will get some extra time off to rest and recover after experiencing arm fatigue earlier this week. The 39-year-old veteran remains an effective high-leverage option when he’s healthy. Some durability issues aren’t unexpected at his advanced age.

Martin is no stranger to the IL, and he might be headed there again. He’s opened this season by giving up six runs — five earned — in 6 1/3 innings over eight appearances.

The Rangers already have to be regretting not making a real investment in their pen during the offseason. The 39-year-old Martin, who said last season was likely to be his last, will probably bounce back after giving up four earned runs over 2 2/3 innings in his first four appearances, but he’ll also probably get hurt at some point. The Rangers really need a youngster or two from the group including Emiliano Teodo, Marc Church and Luis Curvelo to step it up and emerge as contributors.

The Rangers couldn’t resist using their three best relievers, Martin, Robert Garcia and Cole Winn, for the third time in four game tonight, so like they were Monday, they’ll be shorthanded against Wednesday unless they’re willing to use those guys four times in five days. Martin would seem to be very easy to rule out. If Garcia is unavailable, too, maybe Tyler Alexander will get his third save chance already.