Martin spent the 2025 season with the Rangers on a one-year deal worth $5.5 million, and the fact that the Arlington native turned down bigger offers from the Red Sox and other teams to join the Rangers only added to the narrative of what seemed like a farewell season. The right-hander delivered another strong season, posting a 2.98 ERA, 24.7% strikeout rate and an elite 4.6% walk rate over 42 1/3 innings out of the Texas bullpen.
For the second straight season, Martin made multiple trips to the injured list. The right one missed time due to right shoulder fatigue, a left calf strain and (most troubling) thoracic outlet syndrome, with the TOS diagnosis emerging in September. Since the assumption was that Martin was retiring, nothing was said as to whether or not Martin had TOS surgery, but it appears he either opted out of the procedure or his diagnosis was not serious enough to require surgery.
Given the TOS situation, Martin’s other recent injuries, or the simple fact that he turns 40 in June, there is certainly some question as to whether Martin can continue to defy Father Time. That said, Martin is still one of the best control pitchers in baseball and he’s still putting up strong results, so it makes sense that he still wants to keep playing while he still has gas in the tank.
Since he recently pitched for the Red Sox, Boston has a lot of direct knowledge of Martin’s health, and the team is therefore ideally suited to perhaps manage Martin’s usage to keep him as healthy as possible in 2026. A one-year deal for Martin at a modest salary wouldn’t pose much of a risk to the Red Sox, and the upside is high if Martin can stay off the IL and continue posting his usual numbers. The Sox are known to be looking for veteran bullpen help, and Cotillo reported yesterday that other former Boston pitcher Justin Wilson is another reunion candidate, plus left-handed Danny Coulombe attract interest.
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