The Boston Red Sox's bullpen has struggled since the All-Star break due to some injuries and late-season woes.
They've blown 13 saves since the All-Star break, the most of any team, and they have the highest staff ERA in that span. With Cam Booser and Justin Slaten on the injured list, Boston needs reinforcements. So it selected Joely Rodríguez.
Rodríguez has been summoned back to the major leagues after a monthslong stint in the minors. Greg Weissert has been optioned to Triple-A to open a roster spot for the lefty.
Rodríguez has posted a 1.88 ERA in 14.1 innings with the WooSox. He's been in Triple-A since May 1 when he was outrighted from the major league roster, but he missed over a month with an injury from mid-May to late-June. His most recent outing was a two-inning, no-hit, no-run performance against Triple-A Lehigh Valley.
The Red Sox have selected Joely Rodríguez, optioned Greg Weissert before Diamondbacks series
Red Sox Select Joely Rodríguez https://t.co/KKHyoI4vhN pic.twitter.com/3qpt45NZMY
— MLB Trade Rumors (@mlbtraderumors) August 23, 2024
The 32-year-old began the 2024 campaign on the big league roster and pitched to a 6.55 ERA in 11 innings. He let up three homers and issued 11 strikeouts and three walks in that time.
With Booser on the shelf, Brennan Bernardino has been Boston's only healthy lefty pitcher. Rodríguez will become the second southpaw in the 'pen, and his selection may suggest Booser's recovery has taken longer than expected or his outlook isn't good for the rest of the campaign — although nothing has been confirmed by the team.
Rodríguez has posted solid numbers in Triple-A this year, though his sample size of innings is quite small. Hopefully, he maintains his recent success when the Red Sox's late-inning arms need a boost.