Chris Martin was one of the three additions made at the trade deadline that turned the Braves bullpen from a glaring weakness into a strength. Atlanta went to him on Thursday in the eighth inning of Game 1 to hold a two-run lead against the Cardinals, but before he could even throw a pitch, Martin went to the clubhouse with an undisclosed injury.
Luke Jackson relieved him and was responsible for the two runs that tied the game. Then Mark Melancon followed with four earned runs allowed in the ninth, digging the Braves into a hole they could not overcome in the final frame. They lost 7-6 and will have to defeat Cardinals ace, Jack Flaherty, to avoid going to St Louis down 0-2.
After the game, Chris Martin spoke on the injury that forced him to leave the game. It was officially ruled an oblique issue, and Martin does not believe he will be back for the remainder of the NLDS.
Chris Martin said he expects to miss the rest of this series. The Braves will needs to add a pitcher tomorrow.
— Mark Bowman (@mlbbowman) October 4, 2019
Because of that, the Braves will be able to make a roster move. It will be a pitcher, and it comes down to two arms – Julio Teheran or Jerry Blevins. If I were to guess, Blevins will be the one who hears his name called. Keuchel will be ready for a Game 4 if necessary, and Max Fried might be as well. Blevins is a much better option to come out of the bullpen than Teheran.
The injury to Martin is just another one added to the laundry list of Braves that have gone down in the second half of the season. One of the things that separated this year’s team from last year was the depth and improved bullpen. However, the bench is now depleted, and the bullpen just lost one of its better options.