The Boston Red Sox announced on Tuesday that they have claimed RHP Jean Machi off waivers from the San Francisco Giants.
Red Sox announce they’ve claimed reliever Jean Machi off waivers from San Francisco.
— Tim Britton (@TimBritton) July 28, 2015
Machi is having a disappointing season, posting a 5.14 ERA with 14 walks in 35.0 innings, but the 33-year old veteran reliever does have a successful track record. He posted a 2.58 ERA last season and was even better the year before when his ERA was 2.38.
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The Giants designated Machi for assignment on July 20. He has spent time on the disabled list in June with a strained groin, but has posted a 4.15 ERA since his return. Machi has held left-handed hitters to a .120 average and .240 OBP, but has been torched by right-handed hitters.
For a Red Sox team in need of bullpen depth, it can’t hurt to take a chance on a reliever that has been that good in recent seasons and has still proven to be effective against lefties.
By going on the 60-day DL, the earliest Buchholz can pitch for the Red Sox is September 9.
— Ian Browne (@IanMBrowne) July 28, 2015
To make room on the active roster for Machi, the Red Sox moved Clay Buchholz to the 60-day DL, which means he now won’t be eligible to return until September 9. That doesn’t bode well for the hope that Buchholz will take the mound again this season.
If he is healthy enough to pitch at any point before the end of the season, it makes sense to activate him for a few starts. This is the last guaranteed year on his contract, so it would be wise for the Red Sox to see him in action following his return from injury before deciding on whether or not to pick up his $13 million option for next year.