The Texas Rangers have moved on from Chris Martin, and the bullpen shuffle is already rolling into the next phase.
Martin was released on August 8 after being designated for assignment on August 3 and clearing waivers. The decision came shortly after he was reinstated from his third injured list stint of the season, this time for a right shoulder injury. For a pitcher who was born near Globe Life Field in Arlington and grew up dreaming of playing for the hometown club, the ending lands with a familiar mix of disappointment and inevitability.
In 11 major league seasons, Martin built a reputation as a reliable middle-innings arm, putting up a 3.53 ERA and 1.16 WHIP across 403 innings. But the Rangers did not get the version of him that once flashed real value with the Boston Red Sox in 2023, when he posted a 1.05 ERA and 3.2 bWAR while striking out 46 and walking only 8 in 51.1 innings.
Instead, Texas got a veteran whose body kept betraying him. Martin was limited by a string of injuries in 2025, and that same pattern carried into this season. He finished with a 9.00 ERA over 14 innings, and the club decided on trade deadline day that it was time to cut bait.
That leaves a clear hole in the right-handed middle relief mix. The Rangers could have used the 2023 version of Martin as a steady bridge in the sixth or seventh inning, the kind of arm Skip Schumaker could lean on in high-leverage spots to hand the ball off to Jakob Junis and Jacob Latz.
Now the responsibility shifts elsewhere. Chase Silseth and Peyton Gray are expected to handle most of the right-handed middle relief work Martin leaves behind. Junis should be back from the injured list soon, and Jack Leiter is close to beginning a rehab assignment, so the bullpen carousel is far from done spinning.
In Other News...
Rangers Fans Just Got Another Reminder About Their Depth Search
The search for extra infield and outfield help keeps circling back to the waiver-and-minors market, and one familiar name has now come loose again. Sam Haggerty was released by the Reds after spending time with their Triple-A club in Louisville, adding another versatile option to the pool for teams still sorting through the back end of their roster.
For a Rangers club that has been keeping an eye on depth across the diamond, moves like this are the kind that can matter later even if they do not make a big immediate splash. Cincinnati also added left-hander Kent Emanuel on a minor league deal after his stops in the Mexican League and Atlantic League, a reminder that clubs are still working the edges of the roster while the bigger questions remain unresolved. [Read more 🡒]
Rangers Turn To A New Infield Fix At A Crucial Time
Josh Jungs calf injury has forced the Rangers to keep shuffling the infield, and the latest move came with the club trying to protect a four-game winning streak and its place near the top of the AL West. To help cover third base, Texas brought in Jonah Bride from Triple-A Round Rock, giving the roster a fresh look at a spot that has become a little less certain just as the standings tighten.
The adjustment also rippled through the rest of the diamond, with Ezequiel Duran sliding to shortstop and Corey Seager moving into the designated hitter role. To create room on the 40-man roster, the Rangers also shifted Jack Leiter to the 60-day injured list, a reminder that even in a good stretch, the margins can get thin fast when injuries start changing the shape of the lineup. [Read more 🡒]
Rangers Still Have One Clear Path To Veteran Help
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George Springer is the most notable name in that group, though his recent struggles make his situation feel like one to watch rather than one to bank on. The same goes for a few other veterans whose value is tied as much to their track record as their present form, which is why the Rangers are monitoring the market instead of forcing a move. If one of those players hits waivers, Texas will be ready to decide quickly whether the fit is worth the gamble. [Read more 🡒]