Arlington, Texas – The Texas Rangers announced tonight that they have signed right-handed relief pitcher Chris Martin to a one-year Major League contract for the 2025 season. To make room for Martin on the roster, right-handed pitcher Matt Festa has been designated for assignment.
Chris Martin’s Career Highlights:
- Age: 38
- 2024 Season: Went 3-1 with a 3.45 ERA (17 ER/44.1 IP) in 45 relief appearances for Boston. Struck out 50 batters and issued just 3 walks, leading qualified MLB relievers with a 16.67 SO/BB ratio.
- Red Sox Tenure: Registered a 2.16 ERA (23 ER/95.2 IP) across 100 appearances in 2023-24, ranking second among MLB relievers in that span behind Cleveland’s Emmanuel Clase (1.90).
- Previous Rangers Stint: Posted a 3.84 ERA (34 ER/79.2 IP) with 80 strikeouts in 84 games with Texas from 2018-2019.
- MLB Career: Accumulated a 16-18 record with a 3.38 ERA (130 ER/346.2 IP), 14 saves, and 357 strikeouts in 369 career MLB appearances (all in relief) with Colorado (2014), New York-AL (2015), Texas (2018-2019), Atlanta (2019-2021), Chicago-NL (2022), Los Angeles-NL (2022), and Boston (2023-24).
- Reliever Rankings: Since 2018, Martin has led qualified relievers in both BB/9 (1.02) and SO/BB (9.29), logging a 1.07 WHIP during that stretch.
Background:
- Hometown: Arlington, Texas
- Draft History: Originally drafted by Detroit in the 18th round of the 2004 MLB Draft out of Arlington H.S., but did not sign. Also selected by Colorado in the 21st round of the 2005 MLB Draft, but chose to return to McLennan Community College.
- MLB Debut: Signed a minor league contract with the Red Sox in 2011 and made his MLB debut with the Rockies on April 26, 2014.
Matt Festa:
- Age: 31
- 2024 Season: Pitched for the San Diego, New York-NL, and Texas organizations, recording a 5.70 ERA (15 ER/23.2 IP) across 19 MLB relief appearances.
- Career Stats: 8-3 with a 4.60 ERA (60 ER/117.1 IP) in 108 career MLB appearances (one start) for Seattle (2018-19, 2022-23), New York-NL (2024), and Texas (2024).
Roster Moves:
- Owen White Trade: The Rangers have traded right-handed pitcher Owen White to the Cincinnati Reds for cash considerations. White was designated for assignment when the club signed left-handed pitcher Hoby Milner on December 20. The 25-year-old made five relief appearances with the Rangers in 2023-24, his only Major League action to date, after being selected by Texas in the second round of the 2018 MLB Draft.
With these transactions, the Rangers remain at the 40-man limit on their Major League roster.
