The Boston Red Sox on Aug. 29 announced that infielder David Hamilton has been moved to the injured list.
Hamilton was pulled from Boston's Aug. 28 game against the Blue Jays after he was hit in the hand by a pitch during a bunt. He's been diagnosed with a fractured finger and will spend at least 10 days on the IL. Nick Sogard has been recalled from Triple-A Worcester to fill Hamilton's spot on the roster.
Hamilton has appeared in 98 games for the Red Sox this season and is slashing .248/.303/.395 on the year. He's slumped in recent weeks, though, and is batting .200/.255/.358 in his last 30 games.
Red Sox move David Hamilton to 10-day IL with finger fracture
Fractures typically take 4-6 weeks to heal, so it’s hard to imagine David Hamilton hitting effectively before season’s end, but Cora suggested he could still contribute as a late-game pinch runner after rosters expand.
— Mac Cerullo (@MacCerullo) August 29, 2024
The Red Sox called Joely Rodríguez back to the big leagues on Aug. 23 to reinforce their beleaguered bullpen. He spent the majority of his season with Triple-A Worcester, where he posted a 1.88 ERA over 14.1 innings.
Rodríguez appeared in all three of Boston's games against the Diamondbacks, and he allowed one run over 2.2 innings of work. The Red Sox designated the veteran for assignment on Aug. 26, and he was outrighted back to Worcester two days later.
Joely Rodríguez elects free agency, leaves Red Sox organization after recent DFA
In lieu of another stint in Triple-A, Rodríguez has elected free agency and will test his luck to see if he can land with another club this season. He's clocked a 4.80 career ERA over seven years in the big leagues.
Boston's bullpen has struggled since the All-Star break and recent injuries to Luis García and Lucas Sims have added more stress to the late innings in games. Two free agent relievers may be able to reprieve some of the Sox's tired arms.
Red Sox could pick up Vinny Nittoli or Trevor Rogers to support tiring bullpen
Righty Vinny Nittoli has opted out of his contract with the Mets organization. They were the fourth club to sign the 33-year-old this season, and he never pitched in the big leagues for them — his only major league innings of the year came with the A's and Orioles.
Nittoli posted a 1.50 ERA in 12 innings in the majors. He clocked a 3.60 ERA over 30 innings in the minors with three different organizations.
On Aug. 28, the Giants put reliever Taylor Rogers on waivers. The veteran lefty logged a 2.45 ERA in 51.1 innings with San Francisco this season. He's available to any club willing to take on his salary before he clears waivers, and the Red Sox should take advantage.
Boston is still on the edge of the wild card race and it has nothing to lose by signing or claiming either reliever. If the Sox made a move for either pitcher, it would bolster their bullpen while blocking a better team from extra help. Rogers is under contract for 2025, as well, and could help the Red Sox next season if they snag him before he clears waivers.