Let’s Appreciate For a Moment How Good It Was That Russell Martin Caught Francisco Liriano Today

When he drives, Russell Martin can barely turn the steering wheel with his left arm. His left shoulder feels like it is shot full of Novocain, he says. … Martin is known for his toughness and ability to play through injuries. But in recent games, he found himself growing angry at his pitchers when they missed their spots. He was having trouble catching pitches he would normally snare with an easy movement of his glove. … “My shoulder doesn’t feel right,” he said. “It doesn’t feel like it’s moving the way it should. I’m having a hard time lifting my arm, catching certain pitches. It’s unlike anything I’ve ever had in my career.” … He switched to a lighter glove. That seemed to help for a while. But then he began to miss pitches he normally would catch. He summoned a muscle activation technique (MAT) specialist from Pittsburgh, where he played for two years before joining the Jays. That treatment helped, but the relief did not last.

BRUNT: There’s some rumblings that that is not — that is a worrisome injury. That it’s not maybe as straightforward — “go rest for ten days and come back.” What are you hearing about it?

SIDDALL: I think that play [at the plate with the Rays’ Tim Beckham on April 29th] may have made things worse, or may have kind of spurred it on, but I think this is something that Russ has been dealing with since spring training. It’s actually a cyst up there in his shoulder is causing that nerve irritation.