Martinez called up, Patton optioned

ARLINGTON -- The Rangers have called up Nick Martinez from Triple-A Round Rock to reinforce their bullpen and sent down Spencer Patton.

Martinez has been a reliever on occasion in the past, but he has been used only as a starter this season. Right now, he is needed as a long reliever because the Rangers used Anthony Bass for three innings in a 12-4 loss to the Blue Jays on Wednesday.

Patton also pitched in the game and allowed five runs without getting an out. He walked two of the season-high 11 batters by Rangers pitchers.

"The genesis was 11 walks and we rifled through three relievers, one of which was our long guy," manager Jeff Banister said. "We needed some length and [Martinez] was our best option."

Martinez is 7-7 with a 4.09 ERA in 21 starts for the Rangers this season. He was optioned to Triple-A on Aug. 12 to make room for Derek Holland in the rotation.

"Any way I can help the team," Martinez said. "There are a lot of guys I can learn from in the starting five. It's a good opportunity, especially as we get near the playoffs and a playoff push."

Martinez made two starts at Round Rock since he was sent down. The last outing was against Salt Lake City on Sunday, when he threw 89 pitches over seven innings. He had a 0.77 ERA in five relief appearances for the Rangers last season.

"I don't mind it," Martinez said. "Any way I can help the team, I'll be ready. The biggest thing is the adrenaline rush when your name is called and the phone rings. I just have to calm myself down."

Bass has been called upon to pitch three-plus innings in eight relief appearances this season. That's the most by a long reliever in the Majors.

Worth noting:

• Second baseman Rougned Odor is available as a pinch-runner and possibly a pinch-hitter off the bench, but he was still out of the lineup because of a ripped fingernail on the middle finger of his right hand.

• Josh Hamilton, on the disabled list with a sore left knee, has not yet resumed taking batting practice. Hamilton is eligible to come off the disabled list on Monday, but it doesn't seem likely he'll be ready by then.

• Pitcher Shawn Tolleson is still getting treatment for a bruised right foot, but he said he doesn't even think about it on the mound. Said Tolleson, "It's not affecting me at all."

• Adrian Beltre's two-run home run on Wednesday gave him 1,426 RBIs for his career. That allowed him to pass Andres Galarraga for 68th all-time. Beltre is one RBI shy of Hall of Fame second baseman Charlie Gehringer.