SAN ANGELO, TX — Former San Angelo Central star Davis Martin will make his first start in the major leagues in nearly two years Friday, Aug. 2, when he takes the mound for the Chicago White Sox against the Minnesota Twins.
Martin is returning after a 14-month absence due to Tommy John surgery.
He had a relief appearance Saturday that was his first action in the majors since Oct. 5, 2022.
When the White Sox traded Erick Fedde to the St. Louis Cardinals earlier this week, it opened up a spot in their starting rotation that went to Martin, who had just worked his way back up through a series of rehab starts.
As a senior at San Angelo Central High School in 2015, Martin led the Bobcats to the regional quarterfinals for the first time in program history. He went 9-1 with a 0.29 ERA and 116 strikeouts.
He was also a standout linebacker for the football team.
He joins David Hulse and Trey Lunsford as the only former Central players to reach the majors.
Martin played his college ball at Texas Tech University and earned Freshman All-American honors while helping the Red Raiders reach the College World Series in 2016.
The 6-foot-2, 200-pound Martin was drafted in the 14th round of the 2018 MLB Draft by the White Sox.
He made his MLB debut May 17, 2022, and started nine games his rookie season. He had a 3-6 record with a 4.77 ERA and struck out 51 batters in 66 innings.
Exactly one year to the day from his MLB debut, he underwent Tommy John surgery on May 17, 2023. He was with Chicago's AAA affiliate, Charlotte, waiting to break back into a rotation that included Dylan Cease (who threw a no-hitter last week), Lucas Giolito, Lance Lynn, Michael Kopech and Mike Clevinger.
He pitched 2 ⅔ innings Saturday against the Seattle Mariners in his return to the majors. He allowed one run and three hits. He struck out three but also walked three.
Martin will square off against Minnesota’s Joe Ryan at 7:10 p.m. Friday night in Minneapolis. Unfortunately, he'll take the mound with the White Sox riding a 17-game losing streak. They have MLB's worst record at 27-84.
If Martin can remain in the rotation, his next two scheduled starts are against the Oakland A’s and New York Yankees.
Despite the White Sox playing the Houston Astros and Texas Rangers this month, Martin isn’t currently lined up to pitch against either team.
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