Former Red Sox Pitcher, Midseason Trade Candidate Placed On Injured List
Teams may have to cross this veteran off their wish 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.
