Red Sox inform two veteran relievers they won't make the Opening Day roster
The Red Sox informed two veteran relievers on Saturday that they will not be making the Opening Day roster.
Boston will not add left-handed reliever Matt Moore and righty Adam Ottavino, according to The Boston Globe’s Julian McWilliams. Both players must now decide if they want to opt out of their contracts with the Red Sox and test free agency or report to Triple-A Worcester.
Both relievers signed non-roster deals this spring, giving the two veterans a chance to win spots in the Red Sox bullpen. Ottavino returned to the Sox after spending the last three seasons pitching for the Mets.
The 39-year-old was originally acquired by the Red Sox from the Yankees prior to the 2021 season. Boston acquired minor league righty Franklin German in the same deal. He came to Boston with just one year on his contract, pitching in 69 games, the most out of any reliever for the Sox, posting a 7-3 record and a 4.21 ERA. The righty also recorded 11 saves for the Sox’, which at the time was a career high.
Ottavino should be able to find a job, even after recording a 10.80 ERA this spring. During the offseason, Ottavino turned down a guaranteed deal; options may still be out there for the veteran.
Moore signed two days after Ottavino, giving Boston another lefty option for the bullpen after Zach Penrod went down with an elbow injury. The southpaw has only thrown three innings, holding opposing hitters scoreless while striking out two.
“I cannot confirm that, but we’ve been talking to guys,” Cora said when asked about Ottavino and Moore. “We have a pretty good idea of where we’re going the next few days.
“Yesterday, (Ottavino) threw strikes; stuff was better. Moore, the breaking ball was really good yesterday. Trending in the right direction.”
With the two out of the mix for spots in the bullpen, the Red Sox will have Aroldis Chapman, lefty Justin Wilson, Liam Hendriks, Justin Slaten, and Garrett Whitlock as locks for the Opening Day roster. The team has two or three spots open in the bullpen, with righties Zack Kelly, Greg Weissert, Cooper Criswell, Bryan Mata, and left-handed Brennan Bernardino all competing.
The Sox haven’t informed those relievers whether or not they’re making the team. It’s possible the front office is keeping their options open to see which pitchers fail to make rosters around the league and scoop one or two up.
Boston has one more Grapefruit League game on Sunday and then will travel to Monterrey, Mexico, for a two-game exhibition series.
“The final move won’t be today or tomorrow,” Cora said. “We’ll wait until the end. That’s pitching-wise and position-player-wise. I’m not going to give (the public) any more updates on things because we’re not going to make a decision until the end.
“We’ve got one more spot in the rotation, probably two spots in the bullpen, and then a few decisions position player-wise.”
Red Sox Notes: Kristian Campbell ‘blessed’ for opportunities with team this spring
With Opening Day less than a week away, the Red Sox roster is slowly taking shape. Boston has made some cuts, assigning players to Triple-A Worcester and minor league camp.
I was wrong. I thought for sure the guys who still had options would start in Worcester & these guys would make it. Having that kind of past success & experience can be invaluable for a team trying to win. I guess the Red Sox have enough faith in Weissert, Bernardino, & Zach Kelly.