The Boston Red Sox's bullpen arms have already had quite the workout this season, which just reached its halfway point.
Red Sox relievers have pitched 296.2 innings through the first half of the season, the eighth-most in MLB, and their starters' struggles (besides Garrett Crochet) don't appear to be slowing down. Thankfully, on June 24, Boston activated a potential big league depth arm who could help down the stretch.
The Triple-A Worcester Red Sox have reinstated Jovani Moran from the injured list, according to Chris Cotillo of MassLive. Boston traded for Moran, formerly a Minnesota Twin, over the winter in exchange for infielder Mickey Gasper, who didn't have a clear path to the big leagues with Marcelo Mayer, Trevor Story and others in the mix.
Moran was immediately placed on the 60-day IL after the trade, as he underwent Tommy John surgery before the 2024 season. The last time he pitched in the big leagues was in 2023, when he posted a 5.31 ERA with 48 strikeouts and 27 walks over 42.1 innings pitched.
Red Sox reinstate depth reliever Jovani Moran from IL, remains in Triple-A
WooSox reinstated lefty reliever Jovani Moran from the injured list so he's a full-go there. Had a 2.21 ERA and 54 Ks in 40.2 MLB innings for MIN in 2022 before a bad 2023 and long Tommy John recovery.
— Chris Cotillo (@ChrisCotillo) June 24, 2025
His 2023 stats don't jump off the page, but Moran has shown flashes of excellence before. In 2022, the lefty posted the best season of his three-year major league career, with a 2.21 ERA, a 1.06 WHIP, 54 strikeouts and 18 walks over 40.2 innings.
When he makes it up to the big leagues to join the Red Sox, Moran's left-handedness could give Brennan Bernardino a much-needed reprieve. He's appeared a staggering 34 times for Boston so far, and the excessive use may be beginning to show in his work. Bernardino has a 3.10 ERA over 29 frames this season, but he's let up five runs and awarded six walks over 5.1 innings in his last seven appearances.
Moran pitched a few innings of a rehab assignment before the WooSox activated him from the IL. He allowed four runs on five hits over 7.2 innings between the Florida Complex League and High-A Greenville, which doesn't sound great. However, he struck out 17 batters in that time.
Hopefully, Moran can find his 2022 self with the WooSox. He could be a huge boost to Boston's bullpen as it hunts for its first playoff berth since 2021.