Rangers Activate RHP Chris Martin, Option RHP Kumar Rocker

By | June 5, 2025

Tampa, Fla. — The Texas Rangers today announced the following transactions prior to Thursday night’s series finale against Tampa Bay at Steinbrenner Field.

Martin, who turned 39 on Monday, missed the Rangers’ last 14 games while on the 15-day Injured List with right shoulder fatigue. The right-hander exited Texas’ May 18 contest versus Houston in the 8th inning after throwing one pitch and was placed on the Injured List on May 20 (retroactive to May 19). In 22 relief appearances this season for the Rangers, Martin has posted a 0-4 record, one save, a 1.83 ERA (4 ER/19.2 IP), and a 0.92 WHIP. His 23 strikeouts this season are tied for 2nd-most among Rangers relievers (26-Armstrong, 23-Martin/Garcia/Milner). Martin was signed by Texas to a one-year Major League contract covering the 2025 season on January 6, 2025, marking his second stint with the club (also 2018-19).

A veteran of 10 Major League seasons with Colorado (2014), New York-AL (2015), Texas (2018-19, 2025), Atlanta (2019-21), Chicago-NL (2022), Los Angeles-NL (2022), and Boston (2023-24), Martin has compiled a 16-22 record and 3.29 ERA over 391 career appearances (all in relief). His career 7.92 strikeout to walk ratio (380 strikeouts/48 walks) is the highest mark in MLB history among pitchers with at least 300.0 innings pitched.

The 25-year-old Rocker was Texas’ starting pitcher for Wednesday night’s game against the Rays in Tampa, allowing 5 runs in 3.1 innings (6 H, 1 HR, 2 BB, 1 HB, 5 SO, 66 pitches/45 strikes) as he took his 4th loss of the season. The right-hander was activated from the 15-day Injured List on Wednesday after missing the Rangers’ previous 37 games with a right shoulder impingement. Over 6 games/starts for Texas in 2025, Rocker has gone 1-4 with a 8.87 ERA (23 ER/23.1 IP), 7 walks, and 21 strikeouts.

With today’s transactions, the Rangers remain at the 40-man limit on the club’s Major League roster, along with three players (Cody Bradford, Jon Gray, Josh Sborz) on the 60-day Injured List.

– RANGERS –

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