(Editor's note: The Red Sox are placing Romy González on the 60-day IL as the corresponding move to the Danny Coulombe signing, per Chris Cotillo of MassLive. González will undergo minor shoulder surgery and miss at least the first two months of the regular season.)
The Boston Red Sox made what appears to be a modest bullpen move Thursday, agreeing to a one-year, $1 million deal with veteran left-handed reliever Danny Coulombe. But almost immediately, the signing created a ripple effect that has fans asking a far bigger question: How exactly will Boston make room for him?
According to reports from Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic and Chris Cotillo of MassLive, the Red Sox must clear a spot on their 40-man roster once the deal becomes official. On the surface, that might seem like a routine administrative move. In reality, the roster puzzle suddenly presents multiple possibilities — each with its own implications for the club’s early-season plans.
One obvious scenario involves Rule 5 pick Ryan Watson. The right-hander entered camp competing for a bullpen role but has struggled to make a strong impression this spring. If Boston believes Watson isn’t ready to stick in the majors, the team could designate him for assignment. Because he was selected in the Rule 5 Draft, he would then need to be offered back to his original organization if he clears waivers.
But Watson isn’t the only name generating speculation. Utility options Mickey Gasper and Tsung‑Che Cheng also sit on the fringe of the roster. Either player could theoretically be DFA’d to open the required spot, though doing so would come with risk if another club claimed them.
Red Sox's Danny Coulombe signing could telegraph Romy González, Triston Casas injury situation
Injuries could also factor into the equation. Utility man Romy González has yet to participate in baseball activities this spring because of persistent left-shoulder inflammation that dates back to the offseason. With the 29-year-old already considered unlikely to be ready for Opening Day — and with testing still determining whether surgery may be required — a transfer to the 60-day injured list could become a logical roster mechanism if his recovery timeline stretches into the summer.
Another name fans are watching closely is first baseman Triston Casas. Casas hasn’t appeared in a game since suffering a season-ending knee injury last May and will not play in Grapefruit League action this spring while continuing his rehab progression. If Boston determines he needs additional time beyond the start of the season, a 60-day IL placement could also provide the needed roster flexibility.
For now, Coulombe’s signing strengthens Boston’s left-handed relief depth — but it also sets off a chain reaction of roster decisions still to come. And until the Red Sox make that corresponding move, the bullpen addition has left fans doing something baseball followers know all too well every March: playing roster math.