Scouting Report
Updated May 20, 2026
39-year-old Rangers relief pitcher Chris Martin has been sidelined since April 15 with a right shoulder impingement/biceps soreness. He progressed through rehab milestones including bullpen sessions and live batting practice, beginning a Triple-A rehab assignment in mid-May. However, his first rehab appearance was concerning: he allowed 4 runs on 4 hits in 2/3 innings with 2 home runs, both on his splitter. This continues a troubling trend from his early season performance where opponents hit .667 against his splitter with a 1.000 slugging percentage and zero whiffs. His 2026 season ERA stands at 7.11 through 8 games before injury. Last season he was a valuable high-leverage reliever when healthy with a plus-3 run value splitter and 25% PutAway percentage.
Strengths
- + Physically felt good during rehab appearance
- + Successfully progressed through rehab protocol (bullpen sessions, live batting practice)
- + Veteran pitcher with proven track record as high-leverage reliever last season
- + Cleared to begin rehab assignment after passing medical checkpoints
Weaknesses
- - Splitter being hit hard - opponents slugging 1.000 against it in 2026
- - Poor early season performance with 7.11 ERA in 8 games before injury
- - Concerning rehab debut: 4 runs, 4 hits, 2 HRs in 2/3 innings
- - Loss of effectiveness on signature pitch (splitter) compared to last season
- - Age 39 with shoulder/biceps injury history
- - Zero whiffs on splitter in early season suggests loss of pitch effectiveness
- - Pitcher expressed being 'stumped' by performance issues
Injury Status: IL-15
About
Chris Williams is a catcher for the Chicago Cubs.
Player Overview
C
Chicago Cubs