Former Red Sox Pitcher, Midseason Trade Candidate Placed On Injured List

One of MLB’s most unheralded relief pitchers is unlikely to change teams following an ill-timed injury.

Chris Martin helped stabilize the Boston Red Sox bullpen for two seasons before joining the Texas Rangers on a one-year, $5.5 million deal. The 39-year-old represented a potential trade target if the 50-50 Rangers slipped down the standings before the July 31 trade deadline.

However, Martin won’t have any more chances to convince Texas to pursue a playoff spot or audition for contenders. The Rangers placed him on the 15-day injured list Monday with a left calf strain.

Rangers manager said Martin is expected to miss four to six weeks, per MLB.com’s Kennedi Landry.

Martin garnered a down-ballot American League Cy Young Award vote when posting a superb 1.05 ERA for the Red Sox in 2023. His ERA rose to 3.45 last year, but he collected 50 strikeouts to just three walks over 44 1/3 innings.

Although he’s on the hook for six losses this season, Martin has a 2.36 ERA in 39 appearances for the Rangers. His 8.54 K/BB ratio leads all qualified relief pitchers since the start of 2021, lapping Red Sox runner-up Liam Hendriks (6.87).

This marks Martin’s second IL stint of 2025, as he previously missed three weeks with right shoulder fatigue. The right-hander allowed three hits and the go-ahead run in the eighth inning of Sunday night’s 2-1 loss to the Detroit Tigers.

ESPN’s Jeff Passan and Kiley McDaniel ranked Martin 38th among MLB’s top trade candidates on Monday. It wouldn’t have been his first midseason move; the Chicago Cubs sent him to the Los Angeles Dodgers three years ago.