Texas Rangers: Starter A.J. Griffin Heads to Disabled List

Injuries just won’t leave the Rangers alone as starter A.J. Griffin is headed to the disabled list. What does this mean for the Texas starting staff?

Well, the Texas Rangers starting pitching staff just took hit as starter A.J. Griffin will go on the 10 day disabled list. He will not make the start on Saturday and will be down for at least a week with  inflammation in his left ankle, caused by gout.

This season Griffin was 2-0 with a 4.11 ERA in three starts with 16 strikeouts. He allowed only four walks in his first three outings and it seemed like Griffin had finally found his command. Hopefully it can stick with him once he returns off the disabled list.

The Rangers have recalled right-handed starter Nick Martinez from Triple-A Round Rock. He will make at least one start for Griffin on Saturday. Since 2014 Martinez has played in parts of three seasons with the Rangers.

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The 26-year-old made two appearances in Triple-A before being called up. In his three seasons with Texas, he’s posted a 4.44 ERA in 65 games (50 starts) and his lack of command has been a main factor as to why he hasn’t stayed on the big league roster.

According to Chris Vannini, Rangers manager Jeff Banister had this to say about Martinez. “This is a guy that’s been up and down for the last four years, really,” Banister said. “He knows that role very well. I expect Nick will be prepared. Look for him to go out and add on to what he was doing in Triple-A.”

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This gives Martinez an opportunity to prove he’s got the stuff to stay in the Major Leagues. Hopefully Griffin isn’t down for too long as the injuries continue to pile up for the Rangers.