Veteran relief pitcher is on the verge of returning to the Texas Rangers, having reached an agreement on a one-year contract, according to a source who spoke to MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand. While the deal has not been formally announced by the Rangers, it is understood to be pending a physical examination. If finalized, this contract would mark yet another chapter in the career of a pitcher who has continued to defy the typical expectations of longevity in professional baseball. At 6-foot-8, Martin has long stood out not only for his towering presence on the mound but also for his durable and effective pitching arsenal.
As Martin prepares for what will be his age-40 season in 2026, the right-hander continues to impress with his consistency and skill despite advancing years and the challenges of injury setbacks. Throughout the last several seasons, Martin has faced periods of physical struggle that limited his availability, particularly in the past two years, yet he has maintained remarkable effectiveness when he has taken the mound. Over the stretch from 2022 through 2025, Martin posted an impressive 2.60 ERA, underscoring his ability to remain a reliable option in the bullpen despite his age and injury history. This statistic reflects his ability to continue performing at a high level in the highly competitive environment of Major League Baseball.
Martin’s physical presence on the mound is difficult to ignore. Standing 6-foot-8, he is one of the tallest pitchers in professional baseball, a height that naturally gives him an advantage with his release point and the perceived velocity of his pitches. His repertoire features a four-seam fastball that averaged 94.7 mph last season, complemented by a cutter, splitter, sinker, and sweeping pitch. This diverse mix allows Martin to keep hitters off balance and provides the Rangers with multiple options depending on the situation. His fastball velocity has remained strong even as he enters the later stages of his career, a testament to his dedication to conditioning and mechanics.
Martin’s path to a sustained Major League career has been anything but conventional. He was originally drafted by the Colorado Rockies in 2005, yet his early trajectory was derailed by a major shoulder injury. Specifically, he suffered a torn labrum in his right shoulder, a severe injury that forced him completely out of professional baseball. For several years, Martin was absent from the sport at the highest levels, enduring a period that could have marked the end of his baseball aspirations. Yet, displaying the perseverance and resilience that has become his hallmark, Martin began working toward a comeback in 2010. He returned to organized baseball by joining an independent league team in Grand Prairie, Texas. This opportunity allowed him to prove that he could still compete at a high level and began the long road back to Major League relevance.
In 2011, Martin’s persistence paid off when the Boston Red Sox signed him. While he did not immediately break into the Major Leagues, this signing marked an important step in rebuilding his career. Martin’s journey continued with a trade back to the Colorado Rockies prior to the 2014 season, the same year he made his MLB debut with the Rockies. His first taste of Major League action, however, came with the expected growing pains. After a challenging season with Colorado, Martin found himself with the New York Yankees in 2015, where he again struggled to establish consistent performance at the highest level. Despite these setbacks, he refused to let his career fade and looked for opportunities elsewhere, ultimately taking a significant step by moving overseas.
From 2016 to 2017, Martin played in Japan for the Nippon Ham Fighters in Nippon Professional Baseball. This international stint revitalized his career. In Japan, he found both success and stability, honing his pitching repertoire and gaining valuable experience that helped prepare him for a return to Major League Baseball. Martin’s time in Japan was critical not only in terms of refining his craft but also in demonstrating that he could overcome adversity and perform at a high level in a competitive professional environment.
Martin’s journey came full circle when his hometown team, the Texas Rangers, signed him before the 2018 season. Since joining the Rangers, he has cemented his reputation as a dependable and effective reliever. Over the past eight seasons, Martin has posted a 3.04 ERA across 352 2/3 innings pitched while wearing the uniforms of the Rangers, Atlanta Braves, Chicago Cubs, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Boston Red Sox. This stretch reflects not only his skill as a pitcher but also his ability to adapt to different teams, leagues, and roles over time. His career trajectory demonstrates remarkable resilience and the ability to remain competitive in a league that often prizes youth and raw athleticism.
Last season, Martin returned to the Rangers and continued to excel, posting a 2.98 ERA across 49 appearances. These numbers reinforce his value to the team and highlight why the Rangers are interested in bringing him back for another season. In a league where bullpen depth can be the difference between a playoff run and an early exit, having a pitcher like Martin—who combines experience, skill, and the ability to handle high-leverage situations—is a significant asset.
Martin’s career arc is a story of persistence, adaptability, and the willingness to overcome setbacks that might have ended the careers of others. From a torn labrum in his early years to struggling through initial Major League stints, to refining his craft in Japan, and finally establishing himself as a mainstay in several MLB bullpens, Martin exemplifies the kind of determination that makes a player not only respected by teammates and coaches but also admired by fans. His physical attributes, coupled with a diverse and effective pitch arsenal, make him a pitcher who can impact games in multiple ways. The combination of his four-seam fastball, cutter, splitter, sinker, and sweeper allows him to adjust to different hitters and situations, providing a level of versatility that is increasingly rare among veteran relievers.
Martin’s return to Texas is not just a homecoming but also a testament to his longevity in the sport. Few pitchers remain effective into their late 30s, let alone approaching 40, yet Martin has managed to maintain velocity, control, and effectiveness. His work ethic, conditioning, and ability to adapt to the evolving demands of professional baseball have kept him competitive, making him a valuable addition to the Rangers’ bullpen. The one-year contract, pending a physical, is a strategic move for both the team and the player. For the Rangers, it secures a proven veteran presence in the bullpen who can be counted on in high-leverage situations. For Martin, it provides an opportunity to continue contributing at the highest level in the sport he has dedicated his life to.
Over the course of his career, Martin has become known not only for his physical skills but also for his professionalism and approach to the game. His journey from a highly touted draft pick derailed by injury, through independent leagues and international play, and finally to a reliable MLB reliever, illustrates a rare combination of talent, resilience, and mental toughness. His ability to bounce back from adversity and continually refine his craft has made him a model for younger players and an asset to any team seeking a dependable bullpen arm.
Looking ahead, Martin’s return to the Rangers will give the organization a familiar and trusted presence in its relief corps. His experience across multiple teams and leagues equips him with the knowledge to handle different situations and opponents, making him a stabilizing influence on a bullpen that will likely face the pressures of a long Major League season. The combination of his height, pitching arsenal, and experience ensures that he remains a formidable opponent for hitters, even as he approaches his fourth decade of life.
In conclusion, Chris Martin’s agreement to return to the Texas Rangers on a one-year deal represents not just a roster move, but the continuation of an extraordinary professional journey. From his early struggles with injury, his challenges in Major League stints, his successful tenure in Japan, and his consistent performance over recent seasons, Martin has proven time and again that he is capable of overcoming obstacles and delivering results. His height and pitching versatility make him an imposing figure on the mound, while his career arc offers a narrative of resilience and determination that is inspiring to teammates and fans alike. As he approaches his age-40 season, Martin’s ability to maintain effectiveness and contribute to the Rangers’ bullpen underscores both his skill and his enduring value in the world of professional baseball.
