Red Sox Release Former All-Star Starter

After a couple of disastrous seasons, this two-time All-Star had signed a minor league contract with the Boston Red Sox earlier this month, hoping to get a shot at re-inventing himself. But Carlos Martinez will have to look elsewhere if he is to get another crack at the majors, as the Red Sox have released him after an ill-fated tryout in the minors. 

The Red Sox released righthander Carlos Martínez, whom they'd signed to a minor league deal earlier this month.

— Alex Speier (@alexspeier) May 17, 2022

The former St. Louis Cardinals rotation mainstay had two very ugly starts for the BoSox' Triple-A affiliate in Worcester, posting a 20.77 ERA, surrendering 10 earned runs, 9 hits and 3 walks in just 4.1 innings. Last season, he had a 6.23 ERA in 16 starts with the Cards. 

The 30-year-old has seen injuries destroy what was a solid major league career, as he's battled a shoulder injury, a strained oblique, a nasty bout with Covid, and a torn thumb ligament, all just since 2019. 

Before that, he had five straight seasons of an ERA mostly in the low 3.00s, while compiling two All-Star selections. His entire 9-year career had been with the Cardinals. Overall, he has a lifetime 3.74 ERA.

Martinez will try to hook up with another team now, one willing to roll the dice on a return to form. 

Photo Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports