Veteran reliever Chris Martin moved a step closer to rejoining the Texas Rangers bullpen on Wednesday night, turning in an encouraging performance during his first rehabilitation appearance with Double-A Frisco. The outing marked an important milestone in his recovery from the right shoulder impingement that has sidelined him for over a month.
Making his first game appearance since landing on the injured list, Martin worked a clean opening inning against Midland. The experienced right-hander surrendered just one hit while striking out two batters, showing sharp command and encouraging velocity as he continues his comeback. His scoreless frame provided a positive sign that his shoulder is responding well after weeks of rehabilitation.
Martin was placed on the 15-day injured list on June 1, retroactive to May 31, because of the lingering shoulder issue. According to Rangers manager Skip Schumaker, the veteran reliever is expected to require only a couple of rehab appearances before he is ready to return to the major league roster, assuming he continues to progress without setbacks.
This is already Martin’s second trip to the injured list during the 2026 season due to the same shoulder impingement. Earlier in the year, he missed more than a month after being sidelined from mid-April until late May before briefly returning to action. The recurring injury has limited his availability and disrupted what the Rangers hoped would be another dependable season from one of their most experienced bullpen arms.
Before going on the injured list for the second time, Martin struggled to find consistency, posting a 7.84 ERA across 12 appearances this season. Those numbers stand in stark contrast to his impressive 2025 campaign, when he recorded a 2.98 ERA in 49 outings and served as one of Texas’ most reliable late-inning options.
Despite the difficult start to 2026, Martin’s track record suggests he can still play a valuable role once healthy. Across an 11-year Major League career, the veteran reliever has compiled a solid 3.45 ERA while earning a reputation for limiting walks and providing steady bullpen depth.
With his first rehab assignment now successfully completed, the Rangers will closely monitor Martin over the next few outings. If he continues to pitch effectively and experiences no issues with his shoulder, he could soon be back in Texas, providing a much-needed boost to a bullpen looking for experienced, reliable relief pitching during the second half of the season.
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