Whenever you think of Nick Martinez and the rollercoaster this season has been for the 24-year-old, keep in mind that he had pitched in five career games above the Class-A level before being thrust into the Opening Day starting rotation for the Rangers and bouncing back and forth before sticking midway through the year because of tons of injuries.
Martinez has done pretty well for himself — all things considered — and is now on a four-start streak that has seen him put up a 2.74 ERA over 23 innings.
Martinez gets another shot on Tuesday night against Houston after missing out on three straight quality starts for the first time in his career by just one out his last time out. He lasted just 5 2/3 against Oakland in a win and will look to get back on the quality start train on Tuesday against a fading Astros team.
Martinez is most likely on the outside looking in to open the season in the 2015 rotation picture, though he could figure in as a long reliever. But what would be best for the young righty would be to go to Triple-A Round Rock to start 2015 and finally get some more minor league innings above Class-A.
Regardless of what happens to him Tuesday and in what should be his final start of the season on the season's final day against Oakland, the Rangers seem to have something good in Martinez, and it's becoming more clear by the day that they believe that, as well.
