Rangers' Nick Martinez: Expected to stick in bullpen this week

Martinez isn't expected to start during the upcoming week after manager Jeff Banister announced Dillon Gee would take the hill Tuesday against the Mets.

After compiling a 5.24 ERA and 1.37 WHIP over his first eight starts of the season, Martinez's spot in the rotation was on thin ice before Banister announced the right-hander would be available out of the bullpen over the weekend. Martinez ended up pitching effectively in mop-up duty during Sunday's loss to the Astros, tossing 3.1 scoreless innings of one-hit ball. Still, it wasn't enough for him to recapture a starting role for the time being. While Gee will likely need to perform well Tuesday to earn future starts, Martinez's chances of reemerging as a rotation option will take a hit with Tyson Ross (shoulder) expected to come off the disabled list during the upcoming weekend. A.J. Griffin (side) and Cole Hamels (oblique) could also be back to full strength by the All-Star break, which would push Martinez even further down in the pecking order for starting duties.