Martinez pitching to impress during next start

SURPRISE, Ariz. -- Nick Martinez will be trying to earn the fifth spot in the Rangers rotation when he pitches against the Mariners on Saturday.
That is… if there is still a fifth spot to be won in a rotation that already consists of Yu Darvish, Cole Hamels, Martín Pérez and -- most likely -- A.J. Griffin. The Rangers have not officially announced their rotation, but manager Jeff Banister admitted Griffin has a tight grip on the fourth spot.
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"I would say so," Banister said. "That's a fair statement."
The Rangers, with two off-days in the first eight days of the season, are considering opening the season with a four-man rotation, at least until April 15. That's the first day the Rangers will need a fifth starter, and there is a chance that Andrew Cashner would be ready to join the rotation.

Cashner is sidelined with soreness in his right biceps and threw 33 pitches in a Minor League game on Wednesday. It was his first game action of the spring.
Cashner could get three or four outings before the Rangers need the fifth starter, but it's too early to tell if he will be ready by then, or the Rangers would need to look elsewhere.
The Rangers are still debating whether to go with four or five starters right away. Pitching coach Doug Brocail likes to give his pitchers extra rest especially early in the season, but the four-man rotation allows the Rangers to have a four-man bench and an eight-man bullpen.
That still does not mean Martinez is critical to the Rangers. He may be the Rangers' first line of defense in case of injury to the rotation -- and this is a team that will begin the season with both Cashner and Tyson Ross on the disabled list. He still has options, meaning he can shuttle back and forth from Triple-A Round Rock as needed.

The Rangers don't have that luxury with Rule 5 draft pick Mike Hauschild, who could end up as the long man in the bullpen, or Dillon Gee, who has a Minor League contract and could take his free agency Wednesday if not added to the Major League roster.
Martinez has been a part of the Rangers pitching depth for three seasons. He is 12-20 with a 4.77 ERA in 50 career starts and has a 1.47 ERA in 15 relief appearances.
Martinez was lagging in the fifth-starter competition until last Monday against the Padres, when he allowed just one run over 5 1/3 innings.
"He was able to pitch in with the fastball," Banister said. "He went [up] with his fastball, used his curve ball and his changeup was a much better pitch."
Another strong outing would be a big boost for Martinez and the Rangers.