Texas Rangers relievers have been exposed in August, with a 5.16 ERA and three blown saves in seven games. Chris Martin’s left calf strain, suffered July 21, clouds the late-inning picture as he advances from fielding practice to a light bullpen, live batting practice, and a rehab stint. The front office tried to shore things up at the deadline with Phil Maton and Danny Coulombe, but the bullpen remains a concern for fantasy managers tracking holds and saves.

Martin’s return could re-establish a trusted late-inning option, while Maton and Coulombe provide depth behind him. Monitor Martin’s rehab timeline closely; if he progresses quickly, expect a reshuffling of high-leverage roles and more stable save chances. Until then, Maton and Coulombe are the most plausible routes for holds, with Martin as a potential upgrade once he’s ramped back up.

Texas Rangers updates center on Jon Gray’s Thoracic Outlet Syndrome symptoms, with doctors leaning toward the neurologic variant. If confirmed, Botox-based nerve treatments could shorten his IL stay, potentially allowing a return near the minimum 15 days; vascular TOS would require rib removal and likely end the season. The club stresses diagnostics are ongoing and prognosis remains uncertain, but optimism persists for a swift, minor setback recovery.

Meanwhile, Tyler Mahle has been on the IL since June 12 with right shoulder fatigue and is ramping up by throwing fastballs off a mound, with live BP likely coming soon. The team may slot Mahle back in as a reliever or short-stint starter rather than a long-term rotation piece, potentially delaying a full return by about two weeks. Chris Martin and Jacob Webb continue rehab progress (calf and back spasms, respectively) with limited timelines and potential September roles in a contention push.

Overall, the Rangers’ bullpen and rotation depth will be closely watched as diagnostics unfold, with the season potentially shaping decisions for next year depending on returns and health trajectories. The emphasis is on keeping Gray, Mahle, Martin, and Webb healthy while preserving solid options for September and beyond.

Texas Rangers right-hander Chris Martin exited a live bullpen with a flare-up in a strained left calf, forcing a two- to three-day pause in his ramp-up as Texas re-evaluates readiness to return. The 39-year-old has posted a 2.36 ERA across 39 appearances this season and has been the bullpen’s setup man, though shoulder fatigue and elbow discomfort have sidelined him earlier. Evan Carter, 22, began a rehab assignment at Double-A Frisco as the club weighs activation timing, having been out since Aug. 2 with back spasms. Bochy stressed patience over urgency, and Texas will monitor both veterans’ progress as they chase a late-season push.

The injury adds depth concerns for a Rangers bullpen in a pennant race, with Carter’s return still in flux and Martín’s health acting as a wild card. Texas hosts Arizona in a key series, and the club will lean on the rest of the relief corps while avoiding re-injury risk should Martín return to the mound. Carter’s activation timing remains a focal point as the Rangers balance short-term needs with long-term viability.

Evan Carter is nearing a return for Texas, with live bullpen sessions scheduled during a three-game set against Arizona. If he passes medical testing, a quick minor-league rehab could begin within a day or two, restoring immediate outfield depth after back spasms sidelined him since Aug. 2. Carter slashed .238/.323/.381 with 4 home runs in 45 games prior to the IL.

Chris Martin, 39, will also throw a live bullpen ahead of the Diamondbacks series after calf strain downtime, with a rehab timeline aligned to a 4–6 week window. Tyler Mahle was throwing from 120-plus feet and hinted at mound work next week, though he hasn’t tossed from a mound since June 12 due to shoulder fatigue.

In fantasy terms, wait-and-see is the theme—Carter could jump-start Texas’ outfield, while Martin adds bullpen depth that could influence late-inning alignments. The trio’s timelines will shape how aggressively to allocate waivers and how to view Rangers relievers in coming weeks as the club navigates a return from injuries.

The Atlanta Braves (44-60) face off against the Kansas City Royals (52-54) in an intriguing matchup as they battle at Kauffman Stadium. Despite struggling with a five-game losing streak, the Braves are favored to win due to Spencer Strider's presence on the mound. Strider's recent performance, marked by a 5.40 ERA in his last outing, contrasts sharply with Royals pitcher Rich Hill, who boasts a stellar 1.80 ERA.

The Braves have found it tough to score, managing no more than three runs in four out of their last five games, while the Royals have consistently exceeded that in six of their past seven. This discrepancy highlights Kansas City’s offensive momentum, making them a tempting pick, especially with the betting line leaning in their favor at +1.5 against the spread. As the game unfolds, fantasy players should keep a close eye on Strider’s ability to bounce back and Hill's continued success on the mound.