Chris Martin has been added to the Los Angeles Dodgers active roster and Jake Reed was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City prior to the series finale against the Colorado Rockies.
Martin joins the Dodgers one day after being acquired for Zach McKinstry in a trade with the Chicago Cubs. Despite being up with the team for 39 games this season, McKinstry only appeared in 10.
One of McKinstry’s two starts this year came in the series opener against the Colorado Rockies, during which he went hitless but drew two walks and twice scored.
Martin gives the Dodgers another veteran for their bullpen, but he’s a candidate who could benefit from the organization’s run of success in helping pitchers improve.
The 35-year-old reliever has thrown 31.1 innings this year and struggled to the tune of a 4.31 ERA. However, he has struck out 30.1% of batters faced while walking just 3%, amounting to a 3.02 FIP.
Martin also has a .393 BABIP to go along with a home run rate that is 6% higher than his career average and more than 10% higher from where he has been the last two seasons.
Martin has been hit hard this year, ranking in the bottom 30% of pitchers in average exit velocity allowed, hard-hit rate and barrel rate, and he has additionally struggled to get hitters to chase.
But with the Dodgers bullpen still waiting on the returns of Brusdar Graterol, Tommy Kahnle and Blake Treinen, Martin offers some depth and an upside play.
Over his career, Martin has pitched for the Colorado Rockies (2014), New York Yankees (2015), Texas Rangers (2018-2019), Atlanta Braves (2019-21) and Cubs (2022). He is due to become a free agent after the 2022 season.
Dodgers, Jake Reed reunited
The Dodgers claimed Reed off waivers from the New York Mets earlier this month, which marked his second time in the organization. Reed was then recalled from OKC on July 27, and he allowed one run across 2.2 innings pitched over three appearances.
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