Texas Rangers’ Chris Martin remains in bullpen mix despite setback in Thursday warmups

WASHINGTON – Though Chris Martin has had to pull himself out of games in three of the four times the Rangers have tried to use him over the last three weeks, the team will keep him on the active roster for now.

Martin, 39, was activated from the IL Thursday, after missing 16 days due to what was labeled “right shoulder fatigue.” Asked to pitch the eighth in a game the Rangers led, he could not get loose, saying the shoulder was once again making a “popping noise.” While not painful, it was disconcerting.

On Friday, however, Martin met with trainers and coaches, threw on the field and pronounced himself ready to resume his role in the Rangers’ bullpen.

Rangers

“He’s not feeling any pain,” manager Bruce Bochy said. “We’ve done all the diagnostics I think we can do. But with that said, we don’t want to put him at risk either, so we left it in his hands. He said he’s not in pain and that it may be something he could pitch through.”

Martin has thrown just eight pitches in games since May 13, when he left one pitch into an outing on what was a third consecutive day of pitching. Martin has been the Rangers’ most effective reliever when healthy.

The Rangers had been prepared to call up 24-year-old right-hander Luis Curvelo, but held off after meeting with Martin. Curvelo has a 1.64 ERA in 22 innings at Triple-A Round Rock.

The Rangers need to make sure their bullpen is at full strength since they are expected to throw a bullpen game to conclude the series at Washington. They want to preserve two extra days of rest for starter Tyler Mahle, who will open the series at Minnesota on Tuesday. Caleb Boushley, who hadn’t pitched since May 31, would be a potential option to start that game.

Texas Rangers activate reliever Chris Martin, but trouble in warmup offers new setback