The Rangers placed Chris Martin on the 15-day injured list, retroactive to May 19, with shoulder fatigue. Righty Cole Winn was recalled from Triple-A Round Rock in the corresponding move.
Martin was removed from Sunday’s game against the Astros after throwing one pitch. That was the result of shoulder soreness, though it came less than a week after Texas had sent him for imaging after he experienced elbow discomfort. Martin did not end up missing any time with the elbow soreness after testing came back negative. The team has downplayed their concern over the shoulder issue as well, but it’s sensible that they’ll give him a couple weeks after a pair of arm issues in such rapid succession.
This will also serve as a potentially necessary rest opportunity for the veteran righty. Martin has made 22 appearances this season, two off the MLB lead. He’d pitched five times between May 11 and 18 alone, including on three straight days from May 11-13. That’s a lot to ask of any pitcher, especially one who is a couple weeks from his 39th birthday.
It’s also a testament to Martin’s continued effectiveness. He has turned in a 1.83 ERA across 19 2/3 innings. Martin has punched out 23 of 77 opposing hitters (29.9%) while remaining one of the sport’s best control artists. He has only issued one unintentional walk all year. Martin has collected nine holds and one save without blowing a lead. He’s alongside Robert Garcia and Jacob Webb as Bruce Bochy’s most trusted setup arms in front of closer Luke Jackson.
Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reported the moves shortly before the team announcement.
Come on, guys. If Ian Anderson or Jason Alexander just went on the IL, you’d be all over this.
This is just Yellow
The clocks are ticking on his IL stint.
Cole Winn will try to fix the bullpen
Nobody said it was easy to do Coldplay puns
The Rangers told him, “We can ‘fix you'”
Martin is almost 40 and seems to be doing better than when he was in his early 30s
I don’t think this is where he wanted to go…
He tried his best and he didn’t succeed. He got what he wanted but not what he needed. He feels so tired but he can’t sleep.
Gwyneth
After a long rain delay in Chicago it’s Cold, but they Play
Phil’s didn’t pay 3M to Sims, the Nats did. Phils likely signed him at the league minimum which is low risk high reward potential. Doesn’t work out then no big deal.
Personally, I’d offer up a package with Seth Johnson, Rincones Jr and maybe a guy like Caleb Rickets who has been improving his stock at the plate this year in AA playing Catcher and go out and try to trade for the Nats closer Kyle Finnegan. He’s a rental only, so this puts together a pretty solid package for the Nats for a closer that’s likely going to walk after the season anyways and for the Phlllies, they lose some good prospects, but none of their top level guys. Rincones has the highest upside and could be considered top tier, but I think you make this trade every time. Also, if they want to recover prospects to keep or use towards getting a bat. I’d trade Ranger since it’s likely we won’t resign him, especially if Painter and/or Abel can step in and fill those shoes by the trade deadline and Nola is back to pitching well. For the playoffs we really only need Wheeler, Luzardo and Nola(sub Sanchez if Sanchez is outperforming Nola still). And then either one of them you use as your 4th maybe once or twice the entire post season. This is all dependent upon whether the front office thinks they can count on either one of Abel or Painter to fill those shoes. I’d much rather lose Ranger who likely won’t be a Phillie next year instead of Painter or Abel or even any of their other top level prospects like Aiden Miller, Crawford or the young catcher they have.