Chris Martin DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

Texas Rangers relief pitcher Chris Martin (illness) made his spring debut on Sunday afternoon against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Martin was battling the flu during the early part of camp. In this contest, the 38-year-old tossed a clean frame. He tallied one punchout and did not allow a baserunner. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status during camp as he could contend for save opportunities in the Texas bullpen that lacks a proven closer. Last season, Martin logged 44 1/3 innings with the Boston Red Sox. He tallied 50 strikeouts and held a 3.45 ERA with a 1.13 WHIP. He generated an elite 4.1 percent barrel rate and a 35.1 percent hard-hit rate, which were both well above the average marks. He also showed elite command, serving up walks at a near-perfect 1.7 percent rate. Robert Garcia (forearm) and Jacob Webb are other candidates to see save opportunities in Texas.

According to Jeff Wilson of DLLS Sports, Texas Rangers pitcher Chris Martin (illness) is dealing with the flu but has been able to play catch. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status in case he is unable to pitch in the early spring training games. Last season, the 38-year-old logged 44 1/3 innings with the Boston Red Sox. Across this stint, Martin posted a 3.45 ERA with a 1.13 WHIP. He held a strong 27.8 percent strikeout rate and showed elite command of his pitches with a 1.7 percent walk rate. He also generated an excellent 4.1 percent barrel rate, which was well above the average mark. The 38-year-old has a strong chance to open the season as the primary closer in Texas as they were unable to resign Kirby Yates, who had ninth-inning duties last summer. Robert Garcia, Jacob Webb, and potentially starting pitcher Jon Gray could also be deployed in high-leverage situations.

Free-agent right-handed reliever Chris Martin and the Texas Rangers agreed to an undisclosed one-year major-league deal on Monday. Martin isn't a sexy signing, but the tall right-hander should be a key acquisition for high-leverage situations near the back of the bullpen in 2025. The 38-year-old veteran spent the past two years with the Boston Red Sox, posting a very strong 2.16 ERA (2.60 FIP) with five saves, a 1.08 WHIP and a 96:11 K:BB in 95 2/3 innings over 100 relief appearances. With Robert Garcia and Jacob Webb being Texas' current top setup arms in their bullpen, there's a realistic chance that Martin could see more save chances in his new digs, depending on what other additions Texas may make to their relief corps before spring training. With a career-best and league-best 1.7% walk rate in 2024 and an opportunity, Martin could be an asset in both saves and holds leagues.