Brett Martin tests positive for COVID-19

Texas Rangers pitcher Brett Martin has tested positive for COVID-19, per Evan Grant. Martin, a lefthanded relief pitcher, was one of two Rangers — along with pitcher Kyle Gibson — who were eligible to opt out of playing this year while receiving their full salary, due to being in a high-risk group. Martin has Type 1 diabetes.

Evan says Martin is reporting feeling fine currently after feeling sick earlier in the week. Under the MLB protocols, Martin has to have two negative tests at least 24 hours apart before he can join the team.

Martin was expected to be part of the Rangers’ Opening Day bullpen. He would presumably still be a candidate to be on the roster, assuming he makes a full recovery, and assuming he does so relatively soon. However, if he misses a good chunk of summer camp, he might not be ready for game action to start the year.

Per the report from Grant, Jon Daniels reported that there were other positive tests for Rangers players during the shutdown, though who those folks were isn’t being made public.