The Boston Red Sox have had a lot of unlikely players emerge as main characters in their recent season storylines. Steve Pearce came out of nowhere to win 2018 World Series MVP and Dominic Smith and Abraham Toro won fans' hearts with standout stints at first base in 2024-25.
José De León emerged as another folk hero in game 162 against the Detroit Tigers. The veteran righty spent all season in Triple-A, but answered the call when Boston needed him to save a starter's arm for its upcoming Wild Card series against the New York Yankees. His journey to Fenway Park for the start was certainly a memorable one.
According to Tim Healey of The Boston Globe, De León had plans to go to the beach in his native Puerto Rico on September 28 before the Red Sox called (subscription required). When they asked if he had been throwing, he lied and told them "yes," believing he had a start in him. De León then traveled to Boston on short notice — he took a midnight flight to Philadelphia, then an early morning flight to Boston to be on time for the afternoon first pitch against the Tigers.
“He told me that he was playing catch during the week. No chance he was playing catch. I follow him on Instagram. He was at the beach hanging out,” Cora said of his spot starter after the game.
José De León saves Red Sox's rotation in Game 162 after rough minor league season, long journey to Fenway Park
“This is actually my first win of the year. I went 0-9 in Triple-A, so it’s pretty cool that my first one is here. … This means the world to me.”
— NESN (@NESN) September 28, 2025
José De León reflects on his Red Sox debut 🙌 pic.twitter.com/JhNVTkOe9p
There was plenty of room for ribbing after De León's appearance in Lucas Giolito's stead. The 33-year-old posted 6.2 innings, allowed three runs on eight hits and fanned eight Tigers in his lone big league appearance since 2023. The outing starkly contrasts his season in Triple-A, where he clocked a 6.93 ERA and went 0-9 with 89 strikeouts and 52 walks over 75.1 frames.
"This is probably the craziest thing that happened in my career," De León said to Jahmai Webster of NESN after his start. "Oh my god, it's a great feeling. I've been through a lot so this means the world to be, to be here at Fenway, just putting on a performance for the fans and, of course, for my family in Puerto Rico."
De León walked off the mound at Fenway Park to a standing ovation from the fans and congratulations from the players in the dugout. It was the veteran's first big league win since 2019, and despite the Sox already owning a playoff spot, it was a huge one. De León helped Boston secure a rivalry matchup against the Yankees in the Wild Card and saved Giolito's arm for a potential Game 3 start.