The Boston Red Sox on November 2 came up against a deadline — the 60-day injured list closed for the offseason at 5 p.m. and all the listed players had to be returned to the 40-man roster. After the offseason-opening trades of Nate Eaton and Tsung-Che Cheng, the Red Sox had two more roster spots to open.
The Red Sox were expected to pursue more small trades to unload some players on the 40-man roster while getting something in return. They couldn't get any additional trades completed and instead designated two players for assignment.
Zack Kelly is one of the players DFA'd by the Sox. The righty has been in the Red Sox organization since 2021. He made his major league debut in 2022 and pitched 131.1 with Boston since then.
Kelly posted a 3.31 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, 14 strikeouts and seven walks over 16.1 innings with the Red Sox. Boston on May 22 optioned Kelly to Triple-A Worcester and didn't call him back up for the rest of the season, partially because he was placed on the 60-day IL with elbow inflammation in July and didn't pitch again.
Kelly didn't have any minor league options remaining on his contract and seemed hungry for a change of scenery. Though it would've been nice to trade him and get someone or some cash in return, Kelly didn't seem to have much of a future in Boston.
Red Sox designate Zack Kelly and Eduardo Rivera for assignment after activating them from 60-day injured list
The Red Sox also DFA'd Eduardo Rivera. Chris Cotillo of MassLive said he'd heard of "league interest" in Rivera, but didn't specify when.
The Red Sox signed Rivera to a minor league deal in the middle of the 2024 season. He spent three seasons in Boston's minor league system, reaching Triple-A for the first time in 2026. He posted a 2.96 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, 55 strikeouts and 27 walks over 45.2 frames with the WooSox.
Rivera made four appearances for the Red Sox, including three as an opener. He struggled in the major leagues, giving up seven runs on eight hits, 10 strikeouts and six walks over 10 innings. Rivera ended the season on the 60-day IL with a lumbar strain.
After Kelly and Rivera's DFAs, the Red Sox activated Triston Casas, Kutter Crawford, Johan Oviedo, Justin Slaten and Eli White from the 60-day IL. Kelly and Rivera were also on the 60-day IL at the end of the season and DFAing them means the Red Sox never had to open roster spots for them in the first place.
Boston's 40-man roster is now packed and it will have to DFA or trade more players if it hopes to sign any free agents or make any trades during the pre-lockout sprint.
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