The Texas Rangers could soon receive an important boost to their bullpen, as veteran reliever is nearing a return from the injured list. According to Shawn McFarland of the Dallas Morning News, Martin is expected to begin a minor league rehab assignment either Tuesday or Wednesday as he continues recovering from a biceps issue that has sidelined him since April.
Martin has steadily progressed in recent days and appears to be entering the final stages of his recovery process. The 39-year-old right-hander most recently faced live hitters during a batting practice session on Saturday, throwing a 25-pitch inning without reported setbacks. That outing was viewed as a positive sign by the organization and cleared the way for him to move on to game action in the minors.
The rehab assignment will likely take place with Triple-A Round Rock, the Rangers’ top affiliate. Round Rock opens a new series against Sacramento on Tuesday, which could provide the perfect opportunity for Martin to make his first competitive appearance since landing on the 15-day injured list earlier this season.
Although the Rangers appear encouraged by Martin’s recovery, it remains uncertain how long his rehab stint will last before he is ready to rejoin the major league roster. The team may choose to evaluate him carefully over multiple appearances, particularly considering his age and the nature of the injury. One key factor could be whether the Rangers want him to pitch on consecutive days before activating him, something clubs often test with relievers returning from arm-related injuries.
Martin has been an important piece of the Rangers’ bullpen when healthy, providing experience, command, and reliability in late-inning situations. Over the years, he has developed a reputation as one of baseball’s more dependable relief pitchers thanks to his ability to limit walks and consistently throw strikes. His calm presence and veteran leadership have also made him valuable in high-pressure moments.
The Rangers have dealt with several pitching concerns throughout the season, making Martin’s eventual return potentially significant for the club. Injuries and inconsistency have tested the depth of the bullpen at times, so getting an experienced arm back could help stabilize the relief corps during the middle portion of the schedule.
Before suffering the biceps injury, Martin was expected to play a key setup role for Texas this season. The organization will likely take a cautious approach with his recovery to ensure he is fully healthy before returning to major league competition. Given his track record and importance to the bullpen, the Rangers have little reason to rush the process.
If all goes well during the rehab assignment, Martin could rejoin the Rangers in the near future and provide a timely reinforcement for a team looking to stay competitive. His progress over the next several days will likely determine how quickly Texas feels comfortable activating him from the injured list.
For now, the focus remains on building up his workload and ensuring he can handle regular game action again without discomfort. The upcoming rehab appearances at Triple-A Round Rock will serve as an important step toward Martin’s anticipated return to the Rangers bullpen.
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