Red Sox agree to two-year contract with right-handed pitcher Chris Martin
BOSTON, MA—The Boston Red Sox today signed right-handed pitcher Chris Martin to a two-year contract through the 2024 season. The Red Sox’ 40-man roster is now at 40.
Chief Baseball Officer Chaim Bloom made the announcement.
Martin, 36, split 2022 between the Chicago Cubs (34 games) and Los Angeles Dodgers (26 games), going 4-1 with nine holds, two saves, and a 3.05 ERA (19 ER/56.0 IP). After being acquired by the Dodgers on July 30, he posted a 1.46 ERA (4 ER/24.2 IP) and 0.53 WHIP over the remainder of the regular season. The right-hander struck out a career-high 74 batters while issuing just five walks, leading the majors (min. 50.0 IP) in walks per 9.0 innings (0.80) and strikeout-to-walk ratio (14.80). Martin is one of two pitchers in the Modern Era (since 1900) to record multiple seasons with at least 50.0 innings pitched and five walks or fewer (also 2019), joined only by Hall of Famer Dennis Eckersley (1989-90).
A native of Arlington, Texas, Martin was signed by Boston as a non-drafted free agent in March 2011 and pitched in the Red Sox system for three seasons before being traded to the Colorado Rockies in December 2013. He has made 269 career appearances, all in relief, with the Rockies (2014), New York Yankees (2015), Texas Rangers (2018-19), Atlanta Braves (2019-21), Cubs (2022), and Dodgers (2022), while also pitching for the Nippon-Ham Fighters of Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball from 2016-17. The 2021 World Series champion owns a 1.88 ERA (3 ER/14.1 IP) in 15 career postseason appearances, including a pair of scoreless outings in the 2022 National League Division Series against the San Diego Padres.
BOSTON RED SOX 40-MAN ROSTER (40)
Pitchers (22): Matt Barnes, Brayan Bello, Ryan Brasier, Kutter Crawford, Franklin German, Darwinzon Hernandez, Tanner Houck, Zack Kelly, Chris Martin, Bryan Mata, Chris Murphy, Kaleb Ort, James Paxton, Nick Pivetta, Joely Rodríguez, Chris Sale, John Schreiber, Connor Seabold, Josh Taylor, Brandon Walter, Garrett Whitlock, Josh Winckowski
Catchers (2): Reese McGuire, Connor Wong
Infielders (7): Triston Casas, Bobby Dalbec, Rafael Devers, Jeter Downs, David Hamilton, Eric Hosmer, Trevor Story
Outfielders (4): Wilyer Abreu, Jarren Duran, Rob Refsnyder, Alex Verdugo
Infielder/Outfielders (5): Christian Arroyo, Kiké Hernández, Hoy Park, Ceddanne Rafaela, Enmanuel Valdez