Martin’s fingers numbness incident underscores bullpen fragility, with his status influencing late-inning plans and the Rangers’ ability to hold leads in tight games.

Martin left the game with tingling in the hands in the eighth after previously missing time with a calf strain. Rangers officials said IL isn’t necessarily on the table, but the health scare deepens concerns about depth as the club continues to piece together a pitching staff amid recurring absences.

Chris Martin provides bullpen depth and late-inning reliability for Texas, shaping bullpen roles and potential holds in the later innings as the Rangers navigate a demanding September schedule.

Martin, 39, has been on the injured list since July 21 with a left calf strain. He pitched a scoreless inning in a Double-A rehab appearance and has posted a 2.36 ERA across 39 bullpen appearances this season. A successful ramp-up could stabilize late-inning work for Texas.

Martin flared his calf during progression, complicating Texas bullpen plans; had a 2.36 ERA across 34 1/3 innings before the injury, and his rehab window tightens with five weeks left in the season.