On Saturday afternoon, the Red Sox added some pitching depth with Opening Day less than a week. The Red Sox agreed with RHP Chase Anderson a major League deal, according to MassLive’s Chris Cotillo. After starting the spring with the Pirates, Anderson opted out of his deal on Saturday morning when he was not added to the major league roster.
While Anderson was unable to crack Pittsburgh’s rotation, he was impressive this spring. In 11 innings of work, the former ninth-round pick posted a 2.45 ERA while striking out nine batters. His performance was an encouraging sign after a forgettable 2023 campaign.
Last year, Anderson split time with the Rays and Rockies, posting a 5.42 ERA in 17 games. The Wichita Falls native also struck out 64 batters and added one save to his resume. While Anderson showed that he could fill various roles, he struggled to prevent hard contact. He allowed 17 home runs, his highest total since the 2019 campaign.
Although Anderson's statistics don't jump off the page, he gives the Red Sox needed depth. With the rotation mostly set, the 36-year-old could fill the role of a multi-inning reliever, according to Cotillo. The Red Sox also have Josh Winckowski as a multi-inning option.
Part of Anderson's success this spring was due to his increased use of his sweeper and curveball. The Red Sox hope they can help Anderson build on his performance with the Pirates as he looks to revitalize his career. Since making his MLB debut in 2014, Anderson has posted a 4.35 ERA in 218 games.
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Adding some depth