Rangers Non Tender Matt Bush, Brett Martin

By Nate Miller

November 17, 2023

Ahead of Friday’s deadline to tender contracts for 2024, the Texas Rangers did not retain Matt Bush or Brett Martin. It was a long season for both relievers, as neither made appearances amid the Rangers’ World Series run. Meanwhile, the Rangers tendered contract offers to each of the other 27 eligible players on the roster.

Recovering from Shoulder Surgery

Martin spent the entire season on the 60-day injured list after having left shoulder surgery in January. He posted an ERA of 3.85 over 187 relief appearances in four seasons with the Rangers from 2019-22. Bush was added to the active roster for the final two games of the regular season but never made an appearance in any regular-season or postseason game. He combined to post a 2.64 ERA in 24 appearances between Double-A Frisco and Triple-A Round Rock. After opening the season with the Milwaukee Brewers, he returned to the Rangers organization on a minor league contract on July 10.

Other News

The Rangers also added four of their top prospects to the 40-man roster. They include infielder Justin Foscue (No. 6), right-hander Marc Church (No. 19), right-hander Jose Corniell (No. 23) and left-hander Antoine Kelly (No. 26). This move comes ahead of Tuesday’s deadline to protect players from the Rule 5 Draft.

Foscue, the Rangers’ first-round draft selection in 2020, hit .266 with an .862 OPS. He had 18 home runs, four triples, 31 doubles, and 84 RBI. He also had more walks (85) than strikeouts (70) across 122 games with Triple-A Round Rock. Corniell was the Rangers’ 2023 Minor League Pitcher of the Year. He combined to post a 2.92 ERA with 119 strikeouts and 31 walks across 23 appearances (17 starts) between Single-A Down East and High-A Hickory.

This is the start of a busy offseason for the Rangers. They are looking forward to beginning their World Series title defense, and more moves will be made between now and when they face the Chicago Cubs on Opening Day at Globe Life Field on March 28.