Davis Martin's penchant for long starts big boost for Sox' pitching staff

MINNEAPOLIS — Wednesday was the first time the White Sox had to cover left-hander Martin Perez’s turn in the rotation.

Perez, who had been a model of consistency with a 3.15 ERA in 20 innings, was put on the 60-day injured list Monday with soreness in his left forearm.

Covering him won’t be one man’s responsibility. But Sox right-hander Davis Martin did his part in a 4-2 loss Tuesday to set the team up well for the game that right-hander Bryse Wilson started Wednesday. Wilson began the season as a reliever but has 52 starts under his belt.

Even when he doesn’t have his best stuff, Martin’s penchant for deep starts has saved the bullpen tremendously. On Tuesday, Martin allowed two runs (zero earned) with three walks and three strikeouts in five innings. He has pitched at least five innings in each of his five starts this season.

‘‘I mean, that’s my goal: to be the same guy, same starter, somebody that shows up every five days and you know exactly what you’re going to get,’’ Martin said. ‘‘That’s my goal. Just continue to do the little things right in between starts.’’

Martin could have gone deeper if not for two unfortunate errors. After he allowed a leadoff walk to Trevor Larnach in the second, second baseman Lenyn Sosa dropped a catch while covering second that would have gotten Larnach out. That lead to a run.

In the third, catcher Edgar Quero was charged an error when his throw to first hit Larnach in the back, enabling Luke Keaschall to score on what would have been the third out. Sox manager Will Venable said he thought Larnach was running on the grass and interfered with the throw.

‘‘A really bad [defensive play] and a bad call by the umpire [accounted for] two runs there,’’ Venable said. ‘‘Otherwise, [Martin] was in control the whole time.’’

Martin’s deep start allowed the Sox to use only him and reliever Mike Vasil, who has been a huge boon to the bullpen. Entering Wednesday, he had a 1.17 ERA in 15 1/3 innings.

‘‘That was huge,’’ Venable said of Vasil’s performance. ‘‘Put us in a good spot [Wednesday], especially with our righties — to save some of those guys and not ask them to throw back-to-back. And with Bryse going, we’ll probably need some coverage, so it was huge by Vasil.’’

Wilson started his first game since June 20, 2024.

Farm update

Right-hander Grant Taylor threw three hitless innings and strike out five Monday at Double-A Birmingham. He has a 1.08 ERA in three starts.

Triple-A Charlotte infielder Tim Elko entered Wednesday with a slash line of .359/.440/.594 with four homers and 13 RBI in 18 games.

Single-A Kannapolis outfielder Braden Montgomery, who was acquired in the Garrett Crochet trade with the Red Sox, entered Wednesday batting .346/.433/.582 with four doubles, three homers, 17 RBI and six stolen bases.

Injury update

Sox reliever Fraser Ellard (strained right hamstring) will start a rehab assignment at Charlotte. Ellard has been on the 15-day IL since April 11 (retroactive to April 10).