Red Sox top prospect nearing return to roster, but how long will he last?

The Boston Red Sox have long awaited the arrival of highly-touted pitching prospect Bryan Mata. After six seasons in Boston's minor league system, his major league debut could come soon.

The 25-year-old's career has been derailed by injuries multiple times, and 2024 has also been a test. Mata had a shot to make the Red Sox roster this season out of spring training, but a hamstring strain kept him sidelined until mid-May. The hurler was shelved again once he reached Portland due to a lat injury.

Now, almost halfway through the season, Mata is set to begin the next stage of his rehab assignment with Triple-A Worcester. He tossed five shutout innings over two appearances for Portland last week, and he looks ready to advance.

The Red Sox need to make a choice before his rehab stint expires on July 15. Mata is out of minor-league options, so he either needs to be added to the big-league roster or the team risks losing him to waivers. Mata is expected to be taken quickly if he reaches waivers — his stuff is too good for a club that needs a bullpen arm to pass up.

Red Sox pitching prospect Bryan Mata to begin rehab assignment in Triple-A, nears big league debut, barring injury

Even after so many years in the minor leagues, the Red Sox seem confident in Mata's skills. He could be a new face in Boston's bullpen around the All-Star break.

“He’s very talented. He is talented. We’ve been talking about him for a while. It just hasn’t happened. Inconsistency, and being hurt. Hopefully, he stays healthy and then we have to make a decision,” manager Alex Cora said.

Mata has been used as a starter throughout his tenure in the minor leagues, but his struggles with command and injury-proneness will likely limit him to a relief role in the majors. Mata missed all of 2021 and half of the 2022 season after he underwent Tommy John surgery, and his 2023 campaign was shortened due to a teres major strain. He's never made it through a full season without an injury, which could be dangerous for Boston's frequently hurt roster.

But if Mata can put his injury issues behind him, he could become a bullpen staple for the Red Sox and finally live up to his hype. Kenley Jansen and Chris Martin are likely to be traded before the July 30 deadline, so adding Mata to the mix could help mitigate some losses in the 'pen.

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