DETROIT -- Davis Martin is getting a painful reset to an up-and-down 2026 season.
Not painful because of his struggles over the last 15 starts, producing a 6.52 ERA, after posting a 1.61 ERA through May 16.
Pain, as in the blister issue on Martin's right index finger, suffered during the second inning of a 9-8 loss to the Reds on Thursday, which hampered the right-hander enough to send him to the 15-day injured list.
“We decided that there’s a good chunk of skin gone,” said Martin prior to Friday’s series opener against the Tigers at Comerica Park. “A lot of questions popped up where it made sense to put me on the IL and get it taken care of.
“It’s a mix between the humidity, the tack, whatever you want to call it. The grip on the ball with the rosin -- sometimes -- I felt it when I threw a curveball -- and I throw my curveball off a seam. As soon as I threw it, I’m like, ‘That’s interesting.’ And I look down and there’s just a hole.”
That blister was part of the reason given Thursday for Martin losing control, losing his grip on the baseball, when he threw two pitches high and inside to Sal Stewart, who launched a long home run off Martin during a three-run first. Stewart seemed to understand on the first miss sailing back to the backstop, but when he took umbrage on the second one grazing the bill of his helmet, both benches and bullpens emptied.
Alan Porter, Thursday’s crew chief and home-plate umpire, ejected Martin for the first time in his career after an on-field umpires’ discussion but no warnings. White Sox manager Will Venable explained Friday no discussions had taken place as to whether Martin could expect further punishment.
“I know that we had some communication with the league after that, kind of just expressing where we were at with everything that happened,” Venable said. “And really, still, you look at the play, you look at what happened and you understand the optics.
“He has a finger blister that just landed him on the IL. He's getting treated for it before that inning, and it impacted his command and was really unfortunate. So, hopefully the league takes all those things into consideration, but at the same time, you understand how these things can go sometimes.”
Right-hander José Urquidy and left-hander Tyler Schweitzer were recalled from Triple-A Charlotte, and Urquidy made his White Sox debut on Friday. He got the win in Chicago's 9-5 victory against Detroit after he allowed three runs on five hits in 3 2/3 innings of bulk relief behind opener Sean Newcomb. Right-hander Tanner McDougal, who became the 15th player to make his Major League debut for the 2026 White Sox on Thursday, was optioned to Charlotte after walking three and hitting one over one-third of an inning.
“We got him up twice before in games before yesterday, and then you come in and big-league hitters are tough to get out,” said Venable of McDougal. “Especially if they're not around the plate.
“So, I think the number one thing for him will be understanding what the emotions feel like and being able to deal with that. And then really quickly, [he] got exposed for not being able to attack the zone, and I think that that will be a priority for him.”
Catcher Jake Rogers also was claimed off waivers from the Red Sox, with left-hander Joe Rock designated for assignment. Rogers is expected to join the White Sox on Saturday, facing his old team, with a corresponding move to be made.
Starting rotation decisions are on the horizon for the White Sox against the Cubs at Wrigley Field after Luis Castillo on Monday. But Venable was worried about attacking the Tigers, a day-at-a-time mantra they have successfully espoused all season.
This time away for Martin could help him return stronger and be an important part of the team’s stretch drive, as he discussed after an abbreviated start vs. the Reds.
“Any other season, if you tell me I have whatever my ERA is right now [4.32], I’d be, ‘Oh, cool,’” Martin said. “I just raised my ceiling higher than a lot of people probably thought. That’s the belief for me, my expectation now. That’s who I need to be and that’s who I am. I have all the confidence in the world when I’m pitching at my best.
“I’m one of the best pitchers in the league. Just continuing to hammer out those details and continue to be great and consistency is big. It’s a big part of it.”