Fired-up Martin perfect vs. tough Dodgers lineup

GLENDALE, Ariz. – For his second Cactus League start, White Sox right-hander Davis Martin threw two perfect innings against the Dodgers Sunday afternoon at Camelback Ranch.

A smiling Martin reminded the media afterwards it’s only two Spring Training starts, so the Cy Young talk can stay on the down low for the time being despite his impressive work. But Martin still felt a March rush handling the elite lineup put forth by the Dodgers.

“It’s the best in the world,” said Martin of facing the Dodgers. “They won the World Series last year and it was kind of cool in that first inning, here comes the 2024 World Series champions. You are like, ‘Let’s go. This is the best.’

“They returned a lot of guys. They made good acquisitions. As a competitor, and as a player, there’s nothing that fires you up more than going against a team like that and seeing how your stuff plays against a team like that. Just wanted to go out there and compete in the zone and see what happens. See how my stuff played and it was a good day.”

Martin fanned three, including Shohei Ohtani on a 3-2 offspeed pitch to start the bottom of the first. Getting the leadoff hitter was as important to Martin as getting Ohtani.

“I struggled really hard last year with getting the first guy out and working my way through outings starting behind the eight ball,” Martin said. “And there's no one better to really make sure you're ready to go than Shohei Ohtani. He's the best hitter in baseball. Just was prepared and made some good pitches, and got a good result.”

Martin, 28, missed the 2023 season while recovering from Tommy John surgery but was able to make 10 starts among his 11 appearances after returning in 2024, posting a 4.32 ERA. He’s now in position to become the White Sox Opening Day starter on March 27 against the Angels at Rate Field, although the official call has yet to be made by manager Will Venable.

“Makes all the long nights, the tough days at the [White Sox Camelback Ranch] facility when it’s 120 degrees and no one else is there but you and a couple of other rehab guys [worth it]. It’s a lot of hard work put into this,” Martin said. “But like I said, it’s two Spring Training outings. Got a lot to go.”