Many Boston Red Sox fans were surprised to see the team demote reliever Tyler Samaniego to Triple-A before their April 14 game against the Minnesota Twins.
Samaniego, who came to the Red Sox this offseason from the Pittsburgh Pirates as part of the Johan Oviedo trade, has pitched well in his first three appearances as a big leaguer. He hasn't allowed a run over 3.2 no-hit innings, he's walked three batters and fanned four.
Sox manager Alex Cora refreshed the bullpen after the worst outing of Garrett Crochet's career on April 13, during which he allowed 10 runs on nine hits over 1.2 innings. Jovani Morán, Ryan Watson and Samaniego followed Crochet out of the bullpen — Morán pitched 2.1 innings and Watson and Samaniego each pitched two.
Boston optioned Samaniego to call reliever Jack Anderson up from the WooSox. Anderson is a former Tigers prospect, whom the Red Sox selected in the 2024 Rule 5 Draft. He's had a fine start to his season, to the tune of a 3.72 ERA, nine strikeouts and three walks over 9.2 innings in Worcester. He also posted a 3.00 ERA over three innings in the World Baseball Classic, where he represented Team Great Britain.
Red Sox optioned Tyler Samaniego to make roster space for Triple-A reliever Jack Anderson
Some fans may be wondering why the Red Sox couldn't option Watson, who allowed two homers yesterday and has a 4.50 ERA with six strikeouts and six walks over 10 innings pitched. The Red Sox traded for him after the A's selected the former San Francisco Giant in the Rule 5 Draft. Rule 5 selections must be sent through waivers to be removed from the 26-man roster, making them up for grabs to any team. If he clears waivers, the Red Sox would have to offer him back to the Giants, and if they accept, Boston loses a reliever.
Like Watson, Morán can't be optioned, but for different reasons. The veteran has no minor league options remaining on his contract, so the Red Sox would have to designate him for assignment and hope he clears waivers to send him down to Worcester.
The Red Sox must be vigilant about keeping their bullpen fresh after their rough start to the 2026 campaign. Their starters have struggled to pitch deep into games — Crochet and Sonny Gray have pitched two outings longer than six innings, Ranger Suárez and Brayan Bello have pitched into the six inning once each, and Connelly Early's longest start so far was 5.1 frames.
Gray will get the start on April 14 against the Twins, and hopefully his outing goes better than Crochet's did. Minnesota has shocked MLB in the early goings of the season with the best record in the American League (10-7), and if it maintains its high level of offense, Anderson could be surprised in his big league debut.
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