Red Sox add veteran left-handed reliever with experience pitching in the AL East
The Red Sox are in an agreement with left-handed reliever Lucas Luetge, according to a post on his personal Instagram. He will receive a non-roster invite to spring training and $1 million if he makes the 26-man roster this season.
Luetge made his MLB debut as a member of the Mariners back in 2012. He spent four seasons in Seattle from 2012-2015. He spent the next five seasons out of the majors and returned to in 2021 with the Yankees. In two years with the Yankees, he posted an 8-6 record with a 2.71 ERA, 2.92 FIP, 1.249 WHIP with 138 strikeouts in 107 games (129 2/3 innings).
Luetge spent last season with the Braves, pitching in 12 games and owning a 1-0 record with a 7.24 ERA. The southpaw struggled to open the season with Atlanta, posting a 8.10 ERA in his first five appearances. He missed time with a biceps injury that landed him on the injured list in May.
The Red Sox are thin on experienced MLB ready left-handers within the organization. Brennan Bernardino, Joe Jacques, Brandon Walter, Chris Murphy are currently on the 40-man roster. The club also has Jorge Benitez and Helcris Olivarez who they signed to minor league deals this winter. Cam Booser who spent the entire season with the WooSox in 2023 is another option for the bullpen this season.
If Luetge can pitch like he did with the Yankees, he would provide tremendous depth as a lefty reliever for Alex Cora this season. The Red Sox posted a 4.18 ERA out of the bullpen last season, which was 16th best in the majors.
