Texas Rangers place Chris Martin on 15-day IL with shoulder injury

The Texas Rangers placed right-handed pitcher Chris Martin on the 15-day injured list on Sunday with a right shoulder strain, a move that will test the depth of their bullpen.

What happened?

Chris Martin, the 38-year-old righty, exited his last outing early with discomfort and was diagnosed with a shoulder issue. The Rangers confirmed the placement on Sunday, marking the second time this season Martin has landed on the IL.

The club sits third in the American League with a 49-47 record and has won its last game, a 6-5 victory over the Houston Astros on July 12, 2026.

Why it matters for Texas Rangers

Martin has been a reliable late-inning option out of the Texas bullpen this year, posting a 2.85 ERA and 1.15 WHIP across 41 appearances. His absence forces the Rangers to reshuffle their relief corps, likely elevating younger arms or leaning on other veterans like José Leclerc and Ian Kennedy.

The timing couldn’t be worse with the trade deadline looming and the Rangers clinging to a playoff spot. A thin bullpen could become a liability in tight games down the stretch.

What comes next?

The Rangers will re-evaluate Martin after the 15-day window, but early reports suggest he’ll miss at least a week. Manager Bruce Bochy will need to mix and match until then, testing the depth of a bullpen that ranks near the bottom in the league in ERA.

The club’s next game is Tuesday at home against the Seattle Mariners, a matchup that just got tougher without Martin’s high-leverage experience.