After getting a few guys back from the injured list at the end of August, the injury bug has reared its ugly head for the Houston Astros.
Over the last two weeks, the Astros have had multiple pitchers go on the injured list, including a couple of relievers in Kaleb Ort (15-day, right elbow inflammation) and Lance McCullers Jr. (right hand soreness).
With the AL West race heating up, the Astros need to find a quick solution or two in the bullpen if they want to win the division title. Luckily for Houston, former Astro Seth Martinez is available after getting released by the Miami Marlins on Monday.
Astros Should Keep Tabs on Seth Martinez Following Latest Pitching Injuries
The Marlins designated former Astros reliever Seth Martinez last week after he made six relief appearances. The 31-year-old right-handed pitcher allowed four hits, four earned runs (two home runs), three walks, and struck out only four hitters in 6.2 innings.
Martinez also possessed a 5.40 ERA in his brief stint with the Marlins, but opponents only hit .182 at the plate. The veteran reliever has spent most of the 2025 season in the minor leagues at Triple-A Jacksonville, where he had some success on the mound with a 3.41 ERA across 41 appearances (one start).
Based on Martinez’s results at Triple-A and his first stint in Houston, the Astros should have the right-handed pitcher on their radar. The veteran reliever pitched well last season with the Stros after a less-than-stellar showing in 2023 (2-3, 5.23 ERA and a save in 35 appearances).
Martinez posted a 3-2 record and 3.59 ERA (second-best in his career) across 44 games. He still gave up his share of home runs (7), but his walk percentage went down from 9.7% to 8.1%. The right-handed reliever’s strikeout percentage went down from 23.1% to 16.2%, which is quite noticeable.
However, Martinez held opponents to a .246 average at the plate and was a tough out against right-handed hitters, who were slugging a pedestrian .210 against him. For his career, Martinez has had success against righties, holding them to a .199 batting average.
If you are the Astros, there’s no harm in kicking the tires on Martinez, especially at this point in the playoff push. You need as many healthy arms as possible who can throw strikes and get outs.