Rangers turn to shockingly bizarre treatment to keep key reliever off IL

It's been an especially frustrating season for Texas Rangers reliever Chris Martin. The veteran hurler has had a decent season on the mound when he's healthy enough to pitch. The problem is that he hasn't been healthy nearly enough. With just 12 games to go in the season, the team is trying something completely different to keep him off the IL after yet another injury this weekend.

Martin was removed in the eighth inning from Saturday's game against the Mets due to a right-hand injury. He allowed a hit and a walk while striking out one over 1.1 innings before departing. Martin felt a tingling sensation in his right hand and was seen shaking it as he departed the field.

To try and make sure the Texas Rangers have one of their best relievers for this final push to make a playoff spot, the team is said to be going with a Botox treatment to keep Martin off the IL.

Chris Martin injury puts Texas Rangers bullpen depth in jeopardy

Martin has actually experienced some loss of feeling in his fingers in each of his last two outings. Those are symptoms consistent with thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS). A standard version of TOS involves a compressed nerve in the arm, and according to the Dallas Morning News, the issue can be alleviated by the paralyzing effects of Botox.

The Rangers were planning to have Martin examined further on Sunday, but if a Botox injection is thought to be something that could solve the problem, it would mean the difference between continuing to help the Texas Rangers (who are two games out of the final Wild Card spot) and missing the rest of the season since the IL stint for pitchers is a minimum of 15 days. There are now just 14 days left in the 2025 regular season campaign.