Martinez Looks Promising in Return

After a fairly solid start to his first big-league season was derailed with an 0-5 stretch over seven starts with an ERA of 8.10, Texas Rangers 23-year-old righty Nick Martinez was placed on the disabled list on July 2 with discomfort in his side, another injury blow a Rangers team that has suffered far too many this year.

Martinez probably should still be pitching in Frisco and still waiting to make his big-league debut at some point in 2015, but has been a member of the Rangers' staff for most of the season. But on Tuesday night, Martinez made his return from the DL in The Bronx, and did really well for himself.

The youngster worked 5 1/3 innings and threw just 67 pitches before Ron Washington came to get him in the sixth inning after what he said were some shaky mechanics from his youngster who hadn't pitched in a few weeks.

"Ball was kinda leaking out a little bit," Martinez told reporters. "It's just my first time out [since the injury]. I felt my fastball sailed a little bit and I got away with that, and I just [have] to expect that the first time out in three weeks. And I felt real comfortable out there."

The Rangers have expressed their liking of Martinez's demeanor at such a young age and his approach to the game, even though he entered the 2014 season having pitched just five games above the Class-A level.

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