The White Sox’ starting pitching depth took a hit yesterday afternoon, as Davis Martin announced via his Instagram that he has undergone Tommy John Surgery and will be out for the remainder of the 2023 season – and likely part of the 2024 season as well.
Martin, 26, had only started three games this season before going down with this injury. In those games (16 IP), he struck out 20 batters and posted a 2.81 ERA. He was the White Sox’ breakout starter last season, posting a 4.83 ERA in 63.1 innings at the major league level that was inflated by one poor start against San Diego. Martin had previously struggled for much of his minor league career, though credits the White Sox coaching staff for helping him make some biomechanical changes heading into 2022 that were a part of his success.
The White Sox had expected Martin to be a part of their starting pitching depth this season. However, with his surgery, it leaves the White Sox with questions of who exactly would be the “next man up” in the case of injury to one of their main starters. Jesse Scholtens – who has already been called up once this season – seems to be the immediate answer. However, if Sean Burke can get things straightened out after an aggressive promotion to Triple-A (9.49 ERA in 12.1 IP), it seems likely that the White Sox would prefer to give those innings to one of their top prospects.
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Featured Image: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
