Red Sox reunite with former reliever, but suffer an embarrassing loss with Gio Urshela
The Boston Red Sox continue to bolster their bullpen by adding players to their spring training roster. Along with the rest of the Sox staff, one man is already working at Fenway South.
After the Boston Red Sox declined his option for the upcoming season back in November, reliever Joely Rodríguez re-signed on a minor-league contract. The Boston Globe’s Julian McWilliams broke the news of Rodríguez’s signing.
A victim of injuries, Rodríguez played the entire season with the Red Sox. Because of oblique strains and inflammation in his hip and shoulder, he only threw 11 innings. Within the limited number of games he played, Rodríguez recorded a 6.55 ERA, 13 hits—two of which were home runs—six walks, and 14 strikeouts.
The reliever has two seasons of Nippon Professional Baseball experience in addition to his six years in MLB. With 2.30 ERA in 2018 and 1.64 ERA in 2019, he was a standout in Japan. Although his career U.S. ERA is 4.70, he has shown improvement in recent years.
Joely Rodríguez, a seasoned reliever, has rejoined the Red Sox on a minor league contract.
After coming back from Japan, Rodríguez has faced batters and struck out 25.5% of them with an ERA of 4.28. Although his walk rate is higher than the league average, he may be able to offset it with his ground ball efficiency and strikeout rate.
Brennan Bernardino is the only lefty in Boston’s pen, and Rodriguez is not the only lefty on the Red Sox pitching staff. Rivaling for a spot on the pitching staff are veteran left-hander Lucas Luetge and veteran pitcher Rodríguez. One of the two pitchers has a good chance of making the major league roster because there isn’t much competition from lefties.
Rodríguez could flourish and improve his strikeout techniques under the direction of director of pitching Justin Willard and new pitching coach Andrew Bailey, hitting more bats than ever before. Hopefully, Rodríguez can maintain his health long enough to visit Fenway this season with his arsenal.
Red Sox lose to Tigers in their bid for Gio Urshela
However, the Sox also erred on Thursday. Gio Urshela, a former third baseman for the Yankees, was reportedly viewed as a potential backup for the Red Sox’s infield. The Red Sox lost to another team for an incredibly low price in true 2024 fashion.
The infielder inked a $1.5 million, one-year contract with the Detroit Tigers. A year. $1.5 million. That is insignificant! Although there were rumors that the Sox weren’t actively pursuing Urshela, it is unfortunate—even by Boston’s offseason standards—that he was allowed to leave for so little money.
Now that they have to search elsewhere for a backup infielder, Bobby Dalbec appears to be the best available choice for the Red Sox.
