Red Sox left-handed reliever sidelined with sore elbow; team signs veteran LHP to minors deal
The Red Sox’ left-handed relief depth took a hit on Thursday when Alex Cora announced Zach Penrod has a sore elbow and will undergo an MRI.
The level of concern around Penrod’s elbow injury is considered “pretty high,” a source tells Beyond the Monster’s Andrew Parker. Penrod began feeling soreness in his elbow at the beginning of the week, MassLive’s Chris Cotillo reported Thursday afternoon.
With Penrod dealing with this injury, Boston is signing veteran left-handed reliever Matt Moore to a minor league deal, per WEEI’s Rob Bradford. His deal includes an invite to spring training and an opt-out if he is not added to the 40-man roster at the end of camp.
Cora hinted that the Red Sox could sign a left-handed reliever relatively quickly during his afternoon media scrum down at Fenway South.
Moore, 35, struggled last season with the Angels after signing a one-year, $9 million deal. He posted a 5.03 ERA, 1.34 WHIP, 41 strikeouts, and 26 walks in 51 relief outings (48 1/3 frames).
The southpaw owns a career 4.39 ERA in 369 outings, including 164 starts. He has a 3.64 ERA in 205 relief outings over his career. If Moore makes the Red Sox Opening Day roster, this will be the ninth team he will have played for during his big league career.
Moore joins the other in-house left-handed pitchers in camp for the Red Sox, including Aroldis Chapman, Justin Wilson, Brennan Bernardino, Jovani Moran, Sean Newcomb, and Chris Murphy, who is rehabbing from Tommy John surgery.
Penrod made his major league debut last season at Yankee Stadium. The lefty came in the eighth inning, where he struck out two, walked one, and pitched a scoreless frame in the Sox’ 7-1 victory.
“It’s something that I don’t think I’ll ever forget,” Penrod told Julian McWilliams of The Boston Globe after the game.
It’s not known the full extent of Penrod’s injury yet, but he’s undergone Tommy John surgery in the past. Adding Moore gives the Red Sox additional insurance from a left-handed perspective if Penrod is out for an extended period of time or requires surgery to correct the issue.
Moore is the second veteran reliever to join the Red Sox in the last couple of days. Boston signed right-handed reliever Adam Ottavino to a minor league pact, and he will compete for a spot at the backend of the bullpen.
Lucas Giolito 'building on goals' this spring as he works back from elbow surgery
Lucas Giolito has remained adamant since the offseason that he’s ready for a full spring training and will be ready for Opening Day.