Red Sox's Chris Martin: Works ninth to collect win Tuesday
Rotowire
Martin (3-1) picked up the win Tuesday, walking one and striking out one in a scoreless ninth inning during Boston's 6-5 extra-inning victory over Toronto.
The veteran righty worked the bottom of the ninth in a tie game on the road, so he wasn't being held back for a potential save chance -- Chase Shugart wound up recording the save instead, the first for a Red Sox reliever since Kenley Jansen (shoulder) was shut down. Martin still appears to be the top choice for high-leverage spots, but he's had a bumpy September, posting a 7.71 ERA and 1.57 WHIP through seven innings with an 8:1 K:BB.
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Red Sox's Chris Martin: Moves past illness
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Martin (illness) made relief appearances Wednesday against the Orioles and Thursday against the Yankees, tossing a pair of scoreless innings and striking out three batters while giving up one hit and no walks.
Martin appeared out of the bullpen just once in the first week of September before manager Alex Cora disclosed last Sunday that the reliever was battling an illness. Cora's decision to use Martin on consecutive days would seem to imply that the right-hander is now feeling back to full strength after the bout with the ailment.
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Red Sox's Chris Martin: Unavailable due to illness
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Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Martin was unavailable Sunday against the White Sox since the reliever was feeling under the weather, Mac Cerullo of the Boston Herald reports.
It's unclear when the ailment first surfaced for Martin, but he hasn't pitched since he gave up four runs to the Mets on Wednesday. The 38-year-old should be considered day-to-day heading into Monday's series opener against the Orioles.
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Red Sox's Chris Martin: Picks up second save
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Martin earned the save in Friday's 7-5 extra-inning win over the Tigers, allowing one unearned run while logging a strikeout in the 10th.
After Kenley Jansen blew a save in the ninth inning, the Red Sox responded with three runs in the top of the 10th, setting up Martin for the save chance. The right-hander would allow the free runner to score, but Martin would hold the Tigers there, earning his second save on the campaign. The 38-year-old Martin sports a 2.72 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 41:2 K:BB across 36.1 innings while working primarily in a setup role this season.
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Red Sox's Chris Martin: Activated Wednesday
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The Red Sox reinstated Martin (elbow) from the 15-day injured list Wednesday, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.
The right-hander looked good during his bullpen sessions over the past week and will rejoin the Red Sox without a minor-league rehab assignment. Martin has a 3.42 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 29:2 K:BB across 26.1 innings this season and should return to a setup role now that he's healthy.
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Red Sox's Chris Martin: Could return Wednesday
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Manager Alex Cora said Sunday that Martin (elbow) could be instated from the 15-day injured list Wednesday rather than being sent on a rehab assignment, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.
The veteran right-hander threw 35 pitches during a bullpen session Saturday, and he felt good enough to give him a chance of skipping a rehab assignment. Martin has been on the shelf for the past month due to elbow inflammation.
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Red Sox's Chris Martin: Could begin rehab games next week
Rotowire
Martin (elbow) threw a successful 25-pitch bullpen session Wednesday and is slated to throw off a mound again in the coming days, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.
As long as he comes out of the next bullpen session with no concerns, Martin is expected to be cleared to start a rehab assignment next week. He's been out since early July with right elbow inflammation but looks to be progressing toward a return in early or mid-August.
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Red Sox's Chris Martin: Could resume throwing soon
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Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Tuesday that Martin (elbow) could resume throwing this weekend, MLB.com reports.
Martin felt discomfort in the shoulder while playing catch and had his throwing program halted prior to the All-Star break. That the right-hander is making progress is significant, given the bullpen's recent performance -- it's blown five leads so far in the second half. When healthy, Martin is a key setup piece for closer Kenley Jansen.
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Red Sox's Chris Martin: Throwing program paused
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Manager Alex Cora said Saturday that Martin (elbow) is dealing with some discomfort and has been shut down from throwing, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.
The Red Sox currently don't have any plans to take Martin in for imaging, though that may change if he doesn't begin to feel better soon. The 38-year-old is eligible to return from the injured list immediately after the All-Star break, though his latest flareup will likely push back his return date.
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Red Sox's Chris Martin: Back to throwing
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Martin (elbow) played catch Wednesday for the first time since landing on the 10-day injured list in early July, MLB.com reports.
Martin was placed on the injured list July 5 (retroactive to July 4) with right elbow inflammation. The right-hander is eligible to return for the first game following the All-Star break.
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Red Sox's Chris Martin: Rehab assignment starting Sunday
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Martin (personal) will begin his rehab assignment with Triple-A Worcester on Sunday, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.
After initially being expected to start his rehab assignment Saturday, Martin will actually get going with Worcester on Sunday. The right-hander has been working his way back from a stretch of heightened anxiety, missing the last month of action.
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Red Sox's Chris Martin: Poised for rehab assignment
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Martin (personal) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Worcester on Saturday, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.
Martin hasn't pitched this month due to anxiety. The reliever is eligible for activation Monday and seems likely to return at that time, although the Red Sox have been careful not to project a return date given the sensitive nature of Martin's absence.
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Red Sox's Chris Martin: Bound for IL
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The Red Sox will place Martin on the 15-day injured list Wednesday due to an unspecified issue, Mac Cerullo of the Boston Herald reports.
The Red Sox had attempted to place Martin on the injured list Tuesday, but MLB was unable to process the transaction before the beginning of Boston's game versus Atlanta. The team hasn't provided an updated diagnosis for the right-hander, but more information will come Wednesday once the move becomes official.
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Red Sox's Chris Martin: Available Tuesday
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Martin (shoulder) threw a bullpen session and is available for Tuesday's game in Atlanta, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.
The right-hander has been dealing with an injury to his left shoulder over the past few days but is now ready to take the mound. Martin was a dominant setup option last season with a 1.05 ERA in 55 outings, but he's struggled early in 2024 with a 5.11 ERA across 12.1 innings.
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Red Sox's Chris Martin: Nursing injury to non-throwing shoulder
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Martin wasn't available for Sunday's 9-2 win over the Twins and hasn't pitched since Wednesday due to soreness in his non-throwing shoulder, Peter Abraham of the Boston Globe reports.
Even though the injury is to Martin's left shoulder, the Red Sox are concerned that his mechanics could be affected as a result. If he's not feeling any better after an off day Monday, the Red Sox could move Martin to the 15-day injured list and call up another pitcher from Triple-A Worcester to take his spot in the bullpen.
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Red Sox's Chris Martin: Collects hold Tuesday
Rotowire
Martin (shoulder) tossed a perfect eighth inning en route to earning his third hold of the season in Tuesday's 10-7 loss to the Guardians in 11 innings.
Martin experienced soreness in his non-throwing shoulder last weekend and wasn't available for the Red Sox's series finale against the Angels, but he was back in action Tuesday and didn't seem affected by the injury during his brief time on the mound. The right-hander now sports a 5.14 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 9:1 K:BB across seven innings out of the Boston bullpen this season.
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Red Sox's Chris Martin: Unavailable Sunday
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Martin wasn't available to pitch in Sunday's 5-4 win over the Angels because of a sore left (non-throwing) shoulder, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.
Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Martin has been dealing with the injury the last few days, and the right-hander his day-to-day. His most recent appearance came Wednesday, when he was charged with a blown save and a loss. Without Martin on Sunday, Cora rolled with Justin Slaten, who worked 2.2 innings and set up Kenley Jansen for a save.
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Red Sox's Chris Martin: Takes loss to O's
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Martin (1-1) was charged with Wednesday's loss to Baltimore. He allowed four runs (three earned) on two hits and one walk while striking out two over one inning.
Martin was one of two relievers that combined to cough up a 5-0 lead during the sixth and seventh innings. He also threw two wild pitches and gave up a three-run home run. Martin, who was Boston's best bullpen arm in 2023, has been tagged with blown saves in each of his last two outings.
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Red Sox's Chris Martin: Earns first hold
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Martin allowed one hit and struck out two over a scoreless eighth inning in Thursday's 6-4 win over Seattle on Opening Day.
Martin earned his first hold as the bridge to closer Kenley Jansen, who recorded the save. Martin threw just 2.1 innings during spring training due to a groin issue, but the right-hander was ready and available for the beginning of the regular season. He'll be the primary setup option for Boston in 2024.
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Red Sox's Chris Martin: Shaky in first spring appearance.
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Martin (groin) allowed two hits and an unearned run while recording just one out in Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Orioles, Mac Cerullo of the Boston Herald reports.
Martin has been bothered by the groin injury since March 9, with Thursday marking his spring training debut. He was understandably rusty, so his results aren't of particular concern yet. Martin is expected to be ready for Opening Day, and he projects to serve as Boston's top setup man.
