After multiple late-innings gut punches in recent days, the Boston Red Sox made some changes to their bullpen.
The Red Sox on August 20 announced that they demoted reliever Isaiah Campbell to Triple-A Worcester, first reported by Chris Cotillo of MassLive. Campbell has spent most of the season with the WooSox besides two short stints in the majors — he appeared out of Boston's bullpen on July 9, and five times in August.
UPDATE: The Red Sox will summon Richard Fitts to take Campbell's place on the roster where he'll be used as a reliever, per Sean McAdam of MassLive.
Boston didn't make a corresponding move for Campbell's demotion, which has some fans wondering who may come up to take his place. Righty Justin Slaten struck out the side in his single-inning rehab appearance for the WooSox on August 19, which has some fans believing he could be activated sooner than the Red Sox initially thought. The Red Sox also promoted top pitching prospect David Sandlin to Triple-A to potentially be a late-season bullpen depth option, and he could be in line for promotion soon.
The Red Sox traded for Campbell before the 2024 season, and he's struggled to limit damage in his time in the big leagues. He's allowed six runs on 13 hits and one walk over 7.2 innings this year. He most recently pitched on August 16, when the Marlins got to him for three runs on four hits in just two-thirds of an inning.
Red Sox demote Isaiah Campbell (with no corresponding move) to Triple-A after short stint in the major leagues
Campbell hasn't had the easiest time keeping runners off the scoreboard in Triple-A, either. He's clocked a 4.17 ERA with 41 strikeouts and 15 walks in 45.1 innings with Worcester so far.
The Red Sox's bullpen has been quite reliable for much of the season — its 3.46 combined ERA is the third-best among bullpens in the MLB. Recent blowups from Campbell and Jordan Hicks have cost Boston games and forced Aroldis Chapman into situations in which it never should've needed him. Hicks has no minor league options remaining on his contract, so Campbell is the obvious demotion candidate of the two.
The Red Sox haven't revealed a set date for Slaten's return to the roster, but reporter Ian Browne of MLB.com suggests Campbell's demotion could serve as the move to get him back on the roster before the Yankees series on Thursday. Regardless of who takes his roster spot, Campbell belongs in Triple-A for the rest of the season as Boston (hopefully) completes its playoff push.