AL West Preview: The Astros will look different, and that could mean a new division champ this year
The Houston Astros will look different when trying to continue their impressive run of AL West titlesMARCH 17 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
CHRIS MARTIN
0-4 W-L •
0.92 WHIP •
1.83 ERA
0-4 W-L
0.92 WHIP
1.83 ERA
Red Sox preseason capsule: Big splash may lead to playoff run Boston Red Sox2024 record: 81-81 (3rd place, AL East).He gone: OF Tyler O’Neill, RHP Nick Pivetta, RHP Kenley Jansen, LHP James Paxton, RHP...
MARCH 15 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM
Church back 'in the mix' for Rangers' bullpen as homegrown option SURPRISE, Ariz. -- Much has been made about the Rangers’ completely rebuilt bullpen this spring. Texas added veteran arms like Chris Martin...
MARCH 7 • MLB.COM
Makes spring debut Martin struck out one over a scoreless fourth inning in Sunday's spring game against the Diamondbacks.
Impact Martin, who missed time earlier in camp due to the flu, made his Cactus League debut Sunday. Setting down the side in order on 15 pitches (nine strikes), Martin has been mentioned as a top candidate for the team's closer role, although Texas manager Bruce Bochy said that he may not "have a defined closer," Jack Magruder of MLB.com reports. However the manager chooses to close out games, Martin is expected to be one of the trusted arms Bochy turns to in the ninth inning.
MARCH 3 • ROTOWIRE
Set for spring debut Sunday Martin (illness) is listed as one of the relievers scheduled to pitch for the Rangers in Sunday's Cactus League game against the Diamondbacks, Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning...
Impact The veteran right-hander will be making his spring debut after a bout with the flu earlier in camp put him behind schedule compared to the club's other healthy bullpen options. Martin will likely need only a handful of tuneup outings during the Cactus League to prepare himself for the start of the season. He'll be a candidate to factor into the Rangers' unsettled closing picture after he turned in a 3.45 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 50:3 K:BB in 44.1 innings with Boston in 2024.
MARCH 2 • ROTOWIRE
Battling illness Martin has been dealing with the flu over the past few days, Jeff Wilson of AllDLLS.com reports.
Impact Martin was still able to play catch Friday, and with the Rangers' first Cactus League game still a week away, it's unlikely that his illness will cause him to miss any spring training reps. The 38-year-old righty turned in a 3.45 ERA and 1.13 WHIP across 44.1 innings with the Red Sox last season, and he has a good chance to open 2025 as the Rangers' primary closer.
FEBRUARY 15 • ROTOWIRE
Chris Martin guaranteed $5.5 million in 1-year deal with Rangers, can earn $500,000 bonuses
Reliever Chris Martin is guaranteed $5.5 million in his one-year contract with the Texas Rangers and can earn an additional $500,000 in performance bonusesJANUARY 14 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Cubs acquire reliever Matt Festa from Rangers for cash
The Chicago Cubs have acquired reliever Matt Festa from the Texas Rangers for cashJANUARY 10 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Veteran reliever Chris Martin returns to hometown team on 1-year deal with Texas Rangers
Veteran reliever Chris Martin has signed a one-year contract with his hometown Texas RangersJANUARY 7 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Latches on with Rangers Martin signed a one-year contract with Texas on Monday.
Impact Martin will join the Rangers after turning in two solid years in Boston. He posted a 3.45 ERA and 1.13 WHIP with a 50:3 K:BB across 44.1 innings a season ago, picking up two saves along the way. Texas doesn't currently have many arms in the bullpen with closer experience, so a veteran like Martin could have a chance to nab a few saves in 2025 depending on how the rest of the offseason unfolds.
JANUARY 7 • ROTOWIRE
MLB Free Agent Signings List
MLB Free Agent SigningsNOVEMBER 9, 2024 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
MLB Free Agents List
MLB Free Agents ListOCTOBER 31, 2024 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
MLB Potential Free Agents List
MLB Potential Free Agents ListOCTOBER 29, 2024 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Works ninth to collect win Tuesday Martin (3-1) picked up the win Tuesday, walking one and striking out one in a scoreless ninth inning during Boston's 6-5 extra-inning victory over Toronto.
Impact The veteran righty worked the bottom of the ninth in a tie game on the road, so he wasn't being held back for a potential save chance -- Chase Shugart wound up recording the save instead, the first for a Red Sox reliever since Kenley Jansen (shoulder) was shut down. Martin still appears to be the top choice for high-leverage spots, but he's had a bumpy September, posting a 7.71 ERA and 1.57 WHIP through seven innings with an 8:1 K:BB.
SEPTEMBER 25, 2024 • ROTOWIRE
In mix for saves Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Sunday that he will "mix and match" at closer with Martin and Justin Slaten following the injury to Kenley Jansen (shoulder), Gabrielle Starr of the...
Impact Martin stepped into the closer role for the Red Sox late last season after Jansen's campaign ended prematurely and he'll now be in the mix for saves again for the final week of this year. The veteran reliever has put up a 3.48 ERA and superb 48:2 K:BB over 41.1 innings out of Boston's bullpen this season.
SEPTEMBER 23, 2024 • ROTOWIRE
Moves past illness Martin (illness) made relief appearances Wednesday against the Orioles and Thursday against the Yankees, tossing a pair of scoreless innings and striking out three batters while gi...
Impact Martin appeared out of the bullpen just once in the first week of September before manager Alex Cora disclosed last Sunday that the reliever was battling an illness. Cora's decision to use Martin on consecutive days would seem to imply that the right-hander is now feeling back to full strength after the bout with the ailment.
SEPTEMBER 15, 2024 • ROTOWIRE
Unavailable due to illness Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Martin was unavailable Sunday against the White Sox since the reliever was feeling under the weather, Mac Cerullo of the Boston Herald reports.
Impact It's unclear when the ailment first surfaced for Martin, but he hasn't pitched since he gave up four runs to the Mets on Wednesday. The 38-year-old should be considered day-to-day heading in to Monday's series opener against the Orioles.
SEPTEMBER 8, 2024 • ROTOWIRE
Hammered by Mets Martin allowed four runs on four hits while striking out two over one inning in Tuesday's 7-2 loss to the Mets.
Impact Martin, who entered with the Red Sox down by a run heading into the bottom of the eighth inning, let the game get away quickly. He allowed hits to the first three batters faced, which produced a pair of runs, before Pete Alonso finished it off with a two-run home run. Three of the four hits allowed had an exit velocity of at least 105.5 mph. The eighth inning was a microcosm of Boston's recent slide, during which it has lost 10 of 13 games: the offense squandered an opportunity in the top of the eighth before the bullpen faltered in the bottom of the frame.
SEPTEMBER 4, 2024 • ROTOWIRE
Chris Martin earns the save | 08/30/2024 The Official Site of Major League Baseball
AUGUST 31, 2024 • MLB.COM
Picks up second save Martin earned the save in Friday's 7-5 extra-inning win over the Tigers, allowing one unearned run while logging a strikeout in the 10th.
Impact After Kenley Jansen blew a save in the ninth inning, the Red Sox responded with three runs in the top of the 10th, setting up Martin for the save chance. The right-hander would allow the free runner to score, but Martin would hold the Tigers there, earning his second save on the campaign. The 38-year-old Martin sports a 2.72 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 41:2 K:BB across 36.1 innings while working primarily in a setup role this season.
AUGUST 31, 2024 • ROTOWIRE
Chris Martin secures the win | 08/21/2024 Chris Martin secures the Red Sox's series win with a 4-1 victory over the Astros
AUGUST 22, 2024 • MLB.COM
Earns first save Martin earned the save in Tuesday's 4-1 win over Houston, working around a hit in a scoreless ninth inning. He struck out one.
Impact With Kenley Jansen pitching back-to-back days, the Red Sox turned to Martin on Wednesday to protect a three-run lead in the ninth. The right-hander would work around a two-out single to record his first save of the season. Overall, Martin sports a 2.94 ERA this year with a 1.07 WHIP and 39:2 K:BB across 33.2 innings. He's logged 12 holds while working in a setup role ahead of Jansen.
AUGUST 21, 2024 • ROTOWIRE
Chris Martin K's Jeremy Peña, escapes jam | 08/19/2024 The Official Site of Major League Baseball
AUGUST 20, 2024 • MLB.COM
Activated Wednesday The Red Sox reinstated Martin (elbow) from the 15-day injured list Wednesday, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.
Impact The right-hander looked good during his bullpen sessions over the past week and will rejoin the Red Sox without a minor-league rehab assignment. Martin has a 3.42 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 29:2 K:BB across 26.1 innings this season and should return to a setup role now that he's healthy.
AUGUST 7, 2024 • ROTOWIRE
Could return Wednesday Manager Alex Cora said Sunday that Martin (elbow) could be instated from the 15-day injured list Wednesday rather than being sent on a rehab assignment, Jen McCaffrey of The Athlet...
Impact The veteran right-hander threw 35 pitches during a bullpen session Saturday, and he felt good enough to give him a chance of skipping a rehab assignment. Martin has been on the shelf for the past month due to elbow inflammation.
AUGUST 4, 2024 • ROTOWIRE
