Red Sox News: Boston re-signs pitcher, Reds DFA Sox fan favorite, Kristian Campbell

The Boston Red Sox designated righty reliever Brad Keller for assignment on Aug. 27, and Keller elected free agency.

The Red Sox and Keller have since reunited, though. The 29-year-old signed a minor-league deal with Boston and pitched for the WooSox on Sept. 1.

Keller has moved between Triple-A and the big leagues in the Red Sox organization for most of the season, but he began his 2024 campaign with the White Sox. He appeared in five games for Chicago, two of which he started, and posted a 4.86 ERA in 16.2 innings.

Keller has pitched 24.2 innings for the Red Sox in a relief role and clocked a 5.84 ERA. He's fared better with Worcester this season, where he's logged a 3.86 ERA in 35 innings.

Red Sox re-sign Brad Keller to minor-league deal to maintain some bullpen depth

Soon after he was DFA'd by the Red Sox, fan-favorite Dominic Smith found a new home with the Cincinnati Reds on Aug. 22. His tenure with the club was short-lived, as he was DFA'd again on Sept. 2.

Red Sox fan-favorite Dom Smith DFA'd by Reds after two weeks with the club

The first baseman's offensive stats took a hit in his two weeks in Cincy. Smith batted .237/.317/.390 in 84 games with the Sox and .192/.276/.269 in nine games with the Reds. It took weeks for Smith's offense to pick up with Boston, and the Reds don't have that much time to wait if they hope to make the playoffs.

Sox fans embraced Smith for his playing style and positive attitude. He was a suitable replacement for Triston Casas at first base and regularly showed his appreciation for Boston fans during his stint with the Red Sox. Hopefully, the veteran will find a more permanent home and a starting job next season.

The Red Sox almost chose to call up Kristian Campbell as part of Sept. 1 roster expansion

The hype around Red Sox prospect Kristian Campbell has grown exponentially this season. The 22-year-old infield prospect shot from High-A to Triple-A in a single season and he's posted incredible offensive numbers while doing it.

Campbell is slashing .335/.442/.571 with a 1.013 over 107 games this season, and the Red Sox could use an offensive boost during their push for the postseason. Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reported that there was "some thought" that the Sox might bring Campbell up to the big leagues for Sept. McCaffrey didn't clarify whether the "thoughts" came from inside Boston's front office or if they were merely fan speculation, but Campbell's bat would provide a nice spike on offense, regardless.

The young infielder has been in Triple-A since Aug. 20, and his sample size of games at that level is small. While Campbell is batting .302/.423/.558 with Worcester, the Red Sox favored giving him more minor-league experience before throwing him into a big-league playoff race.

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