Davis Martin was placed on the 15-day injured list by the Chicago White Sox after suffering a blister on his right index finger that he said affected his grip and command during a start against the Cincinnati Reds. The club recalled José Urquidy and made additional roster moves ahead of a pivotal series with the Detroit Tigers.
- Davis Martin placed on 15-day IL for a blister on his right index finger.
- Blister affected his grip and command during a start vs. the Reds; he was ejected in that game.
- White Sox recalled José Urquidy and Tyler Schweitzer; Tanner McDougal was optioned.
- Urquidy debuted for Chicago and earned the win in the series opener at Detroit.
- Unclear how much the blister vs. mechanics/workload explain Martin’s midseason decline.
What happened
MLB and team reporting indicate Martin developed the blister during the second inning of Chicago’s 9-8 loss to Cincinnati. Martin told reporters the wound left “a good chunk of skin gone,” and that he first noticed it after throwing a curveball off a seam. The injury hampered his ability to control pitches, and Martin was ejected that day by home-plate umpire Alan Porter — the first ejection of his career — after two pitches sailed high and inside to Sal Stewart, who subsequently hit a long home run.
Team response and roster moves
The White Sox put Martin on the 15-day injured list and recalled right-hander José Urquidy and left-hander Tyler Schweitzer from Triple-A Charlotte to reinforce the staff. The club also optioned Tanner McDougal to Triple-A to create roster space. Urquidy made his White Sox debut in the series opener at Detroit, pitching in bulk relief and earning the win after the club’s 9-5 victory.
“We decided that there’s a good chunk of skin gone,” Martin said before the Friday series opener at Comerica Park, according to reporting.
Performance and timing
Martin’s season through mid-August had been uneven. Reporting shows he produced a strong early run — including a 1.61 ERA through May 16 — but his results deteriorated in the months that followed. One outlet cited a stretch of 15 starts in which Martin posted a 6.52 ERA after May, and local coverage noted a 6.83 ERA and a lower strikeout rate since June 1. Team sources referenced fatigue, mechanical adjustments and the blister as factors contributing to his recent struggles.
Why the blister matters
Pitchers’ blisters can impair grip, control and the ability to spin breaking pitches. Martin described feeling the issue when he threw his curveball and later saw a hole in the skin. White Sox manager Will Venable said the club had communicated with the league about the incident that led to Martin’s ejection and emphasized that the blister affected Martin’s command during the outing.
Context: standings and schedule impact
The roster moves come with the White Sox leading the American League Central by a slim margin. One report noted Chicago entering the weekend at 62-58, holding a 2.5-game lead over Detroit, with that rival coming to town for a three-game set. Team outlets described the series as consequential in a tight division race and framed the call-ups as short-term reinforcements while Martin recovers.
Reinforcements and rotation implications
Urquidy, a veteran right-hander, was summoned to provide experience and length; he delivered in his White Sox debut by working 3 2/3 innings in relief and taking the decision in a 9-5 win. Tyler Schweitzer, a left-hander with prior major-league innings this season, was also recalled to add flexibility. The White Sox also evaluated internal options at Triple-A, with reports mentioning Drew Thorpe as a potential depth piece after a recent strong outing for Charlotte.
Disagreements and open questions
Reporting does not settle how much of Martin’s recent decline in effectiveness is attributable to the blister versus mechanics or workload. Sources quoted the pitcher and the club linking the blister to his loss of command in the August outing, while preseason and season-long statistics shared by local coverage point to a broader downturn beginning earlier in the summer. The league and club discussed the ejection, but no further discipline was reported.
Practical implications
- Short-term: The White Sox will lean on recalled arms and bullpen depth while Martin rehabs; Urquidy’s presence gives Chicago a multi-inning option in the near term.
- For Martin: A 15-day IL stint allows for wound care and recovery; long-term effect will depend on healing and whether underlying mechanical issues are addressed.
- For the division race: With the Tigers close in the standings, each game during Martin’s absence could be pivotal for Chicago’s hold on first place.
Timeline
- Aug 13–14, 2026: Martin experiences blister during second inning against Cincinnati and is ejected after pitches to Sal Stewart. He exits the game after two innings.
- Aug 14–15, 2026: The White Sox place Martin on the 15-day injured list; Urquidy and Schweitzer are recalled from Triple-A Charlotte; Tanner McDougal is optioned.
- Aug 15, 2026: Urquidy makes his White Sox debut in Detroit and earns the win in a 9-5 victory.
What remains uncertain
It is not yet clear when Martin will return to the rotation beyond the initial IL window, or whether the White Sox will make further adjustments to their staff if his recovery lingers. Team statements and reporting indicate treatment and rest are the immediate priorities; the club’s next evaluations will likely follow his progress on the IL and the team’s performance in the coming weeks.
Reporting for this article draws on MLB.com, NBC Sports, Athlon Sports and local White Sox beat coverage.
