Brett

Martin

The 28-year-old southpaw wound up missing the entire 2023 season after undergoing surgery on his throwing shoulder. He was a very effective member of the Rangers’ bullpen from 2019-2022 though, and it wouldn’t be surprising at all to see the two sides reunite on a minor league deal.

The star 35-year-old right-hander was forced to undergo Tommy John reconstructive elbow surgery in early June after posting a 2.67 ERA, 0.76 WHIP and a stellar 45/4 K/BB ratio over 30 1/3 innings in his first six starts with the Rangers. The Rangers are hopeful that deGrom will be able to return at some point in August of 2024.

Martin underwent left shoulder surgery last month and there’s a strong possibility that he will miss the entire 2023 season. The 27-year-old southpaw compiled a respectable 4.14 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 40/18 K/BB ratio across 50 innings (55 appearances, one start) last season. He ended last season on the injured list due to a shoulder strain and there were further complications this offseason that ultimately led to the decision to undergo a procedure.

It certainly sounds like Leclerc is the front-runner for saves this season in Texas, but Young added that the Rangers have a number of pitchers with closing experience, specifically citing Jonathan Hernández, Ian Kennedy, Brett Martin and even Brock Burke as potential ninth-inning options. Leclerc should be considered the favorite for early-season saves, but he’s had control issues in the past, which could open the door for someone else to step into the role. It’s a situation worth monitoring closely at the outset of the 2023 season.

No details yet on a potential timeline for Martin’s return, but there’s a chance he misses the entire 2023 season. The 27-year-old southpaw, who agreed to terms with the Rangers on Friday to avoid arbitration, posted a solid 4.14 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 40/18 K/BB ratio across 50 innings (55 appearances, one start) last season. He ended last season on the injured list due to a shoulder strain and his recovery hasn’t gone as expected this offseason. There should be some clarity from the Rangers on his recovery timeline following next week’s procedure.

According to Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News, Martin is expected to undergo shoulder surgery and miss most of, if not all of, the 2023 campaign. So, it makes sense that the two sides settled on a modest raise rather than head to an arbitration hearing next month.

Martin is done for the season because of a left shoulder strain. The 27-year-old southpaw worked to a 4.14 ERA, 1.36 WHIP, and 40/18 K/BB ratio over 50 innings (54 relief appearances) this year with Texas.

The 27-year-old southpaw will be away from the club for an unspecified amount of time. Joe Barlow was activated from the injured list in a corresponding move on Friday to take his place in the Rangers bullpen.

After Ezequiel Duran gave the Rangers a 4-3 lead with his RBI single in the top of the ninth, Martin was subsequently called in to close out the game. The wheels rapidly fell off for the reliever, who surrendered back-to-back hits -- including a game-tying RBI double to Cal Raleigh -- to open the bottom of the frame. Carlos Santana would later end the contest via a walk-off sacrifice fly after Martin loaded the bases to set up a potential double play with one out. With this lackluster performance in the books, Martin is now 3-of-5 in save chances this season. He additionally owns a 3.86 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 26/14 K/BB ratio in 37 appearances. Martin has coughed up seven runs (five earned) over his last four trips to the mound.

This was a game that Rangers were leading 10-2 at one point, but the Athletics brought the go-ahead run to the plate with a hit and a walk off Martin. The right-hander was able to wiggle out of the jam, however, and it gives him his third save of the season. Martin appears to be the option to save games for Texas right now, and there’s enough swing-and-miss potential to make him worth a roster addition for those who need saves.