The Rangers optioned pitcher Nick Martinez to Double-A Frisco to clear a roster spot for Yu Darvish, who was activated off the disabled list Sunday.
Martinez allowed three runs on three hits and three walks in six innings during his first MLB start Saturday against the Rays. He struck out three and allowed two home runs.
"He has pitchability and he showed that last night," Rangers manager Ron Washington said, per The Dallas Morning News. "He’s going to pitch for the Texas Rangers for a long time. We know who Nick Martinez is. Don’t read anything much into him going back to the minors right now.
"He showed poise out there. He didn’t get rattled. That’s a tough team to pitch against and guys made adjustments from pitch to pitch and at-bat to at-bat. And he still left the game with a chance to win."