Scouting Report: Riley Martin

Summary

Chris Martin, 39-year-old Rangers right-handed reliever, has been sidelined since April 15 with a right shoulder impingement. He cleared a 25-pitch live batting practice session and began a Triple-A rehab assignment at Round Rock in mid-May 2026. However, his early-season performance before injury was concerning with a 7.11 ERA over 6 1/3 innings. In his first rehab appearance, he allowed 4 runs on 4 hits in 2/3 innings with 2 home runs, both on his splitter. His splitter, once a plus-3 run value pitch with 25% putaway rate in 2025, has been heavily hit by opponents (.667 BA, 1.000 slugging, 0% whiff rate in 2026). Hard-hit rate against him stands at 52.4%. Questions remain about his effectiveness upon return given age-related decline and loss of stuff.