ARLINGTON — The biggest and best reinforcement that the Texas Rangers can add to their bullpen hit a wall Saturday afternoon.
For the second time.
Rangers right-hander Chris Martin was forced to end his live bullpen session early Saturday at Globe Life Field after his left calf strain flared up after a dozen pitches.
Martin, 39, has been sidelined since July 21 with a calf strain and first had to restart his progression Aug. 12 after similar pains caused an early end to his first attempted live bullpen session.
Rangers
“He still feels some symptoms in that area,” Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said. “It’s a little setback in his progress. We’ll continue to work on him and see when we can get him back out there the next time.”
The Arlington native maintains that he’s thrown bullpen and long-toss pain free but when he faces hitters — and exerts more effort on the mound — his calf does not respond well. He participated in fielding practice Wednesday in Kansas City and threw a light bullpen Thursday before Saturday’s failed live bullpen.
Martin had a 2.36 ERA in 34 1/3 innings before he strained his calf. It’s the second time this season that he’s spent time on the injured list as he’s had to navigate shoulder, elbow and lower leg injuries in his second tour with his hometown team.
The window for Martin to ramp up, complete a minor league rehab assignment and return to the big leagues this season thins each day. There are five weeks left in the season and Martin will likely need anywhere from two-to-three weeks to restart his ramp up and check all rehabilitation boxes.
Texas Rangers’ Jacob deGrom on track to make next startAdolis Garcia activated as Texas Rangers send Marcus Semien to injured list
Find more Rangers coverage from The Dallas Morning News here.