Key 2025 Rangers reliever unexpectedly planning to pitch next season

Key 2025 Rangers reliever Chris Martin unexpectedly planning to pitch next season

Veteran righty reliever Chris Martin, 39, is planning to pitch in 2026 for his 11th MLB season, according to MassLive.com's Chris Cotillo. The Red Sox have interest in reuniting with Martin, who pitched for Boston from 2023-24. In September 2024, Martin said he was “95%” sure 2025 would be his last MLB season, but it appears he has changed his mind.

Martin signed a one-year, $5.5 million deal with the Rangers in the 2024-25 offseason. An Arlington native, Martin turned down bigger offers from the Red Sox and other teams to join Texas for what he originally planned to be his final season. In 42 1/3 innings this past season, Martin posted a 2.98 ERA with 43 strikeouts and eight walks over 49 outings. He missed time due to a left calf strain, right shoulder fatigue and thoracic outlet syndrome this past season.

While it appears Martin will most likely return to the Red Sox, the Rangers should attempt to bring back the Texas native. Since he turned down larger offers from other teams to join Texas last year, he likely would consider doing the same next season, unless he views winning a World Series as his new priority.

Martin made his MLB debut in his age-28 season with the Colorado Rockies in 2014 after the Red Sox traded him in the 2013-14 offseason. He struggled with a 6.89 ERA in 15 2/3 innings for the Rockies in 2014.

The Rockies traded Martin to the New York Yankees for cash in January 2015. He had a 5.66 ERA in 24 games with the Yankees in 2015 before going overseas to play in Japan. After two seasons in Japan, Martin signed with the Rangers.

With Texas, Martin had a 4.54 ERA over 46 games in 2018 and a 3.40 ERA over 58 games in 2019. Texas traded him to the Atlanta Braves in July 2019. He remained with the Braves through 2021, helping them win the 2021 World Series over the Houston Astros.

Martin spent time with the Chicago Cubs and Los Angeles Dodgers in 2022 before signing with the Red Sox for the 2023 season.