Texas Rangers option Nick Martinez

The Texas Rangers have optioned righthanded pitcher Nick Martinez to AAA Round Rock, per John Blake on Twitter.

This is not really unexpected, and appears to be an indication that the Rangers want Martinez working as a starting pitcher in Round Rock rather than as a long man in the majors. The beat guys all seem to think that the Rangers will start the year with a four man rotation, and if Andrew Cashner isn’t ready to go by mid-April (when the Rangers will need a fifth starter), they could bring Martinez up at that time.

In the meantime, Dillon Gee (who is pitching today, and who has four no-hit innings as I’m typing this), Dario Alvarez, and Mike Hauschild are still vying for a possible spot as a long man to start the year.