Red Sox make 4 roster moves, including DFA'ing former top pitching prospect and adding breakout outfielder
The Red Sox made four roster moves on Tuesday, selecting the contract of right-handed pitching prospect Hunter Dobbins and outfield prospect Jhostynxon García to their 40-man roster ahead of Tuesday’s Rule 5 Draft deadline.
To make room for both Dobbins and Garcia on the 40-man roster, the Red Sox designated right-handed pitchers Bryan Mata and Isaiah Campbell for assignment.
Mata was once the Red Sox No. 1 pitching prospect in their system, but the 25-year-old has struggled to remain healthy and hasn’t yet made his big league debut. Over the last four seasons, the hard-throwing righty has only hurled 132 2/3 innings because of various injuries.
Mata underwent Tommy John surgery in April 2021 and then missed most of the 2023 season with right shoulder inflammation. It looked like last season, Mata would finally get a shot at the bigs due to being on the 40-man roster and out of minor league options. He unfortunately spent the entire season on the injured list because of a right hamstring strain and sore lat.
Campbell had a strong spring after he was acquired from the Mariners in the offseason for infielder Luis Urías. He also spent most of the season battling injuries, including elbow inflammation.
Dobbins won the 2024 Red Sox minor league Starting Pitcher of the Year after he recorded a 3.08 ERA and 1.26 WHIP in 25 starts over two levels. While in Portland, Dobbins made 21 starts, posting a 7-3 with a 3.17 ERA. The 6-foot-2 right-hander struck out 97 batters in 105 innings while allowing just 37 earned runs and 39 walks.
His calling card on the mound is his fastball, which sits at 95-97 mph and has maxed out at 99 mph. The righty provides the Sox’ organizational depth next season as both a starter along with Richard Fitts and Quinn Priester while also offering velocity out of the bullpen if the club elects to use him out of that role.
“Obviously a guy who had a really, really good season for us,” chief baseball officer Craig Breslow said to reporters at the GM Meetings earlier this month. “Was exciting to follow the progress — both the uptick in raw stuff across the board and swing and miss and durability and the ability to post. He’s put himself on the radar, and it will be an important offseason for him to continue to develop. It would be foolish not to be really excited about what he was able to accomplish.”
Garcia was a surprise addition to the 40-man roster. He batted .286 with 23 homers, 24 doubles, five triples, 66 RBIs, 78 runs, 17 steals, and 33 walks in 107 games for Low-A Salem, High-A Greenville, and Portland during his breakout 2024 campaign. He offers some versatility in the outfield, playing all three positions, and also served as a designated hitter.
Michael Fulmer was not added, as some had speculated ahead of the deadline.
The 31-year-old is reportedly “trending well” and throwing off a mound, according to WEEI’s Rob Bradford. He posted a 4.42 ERA in 58 appearances during the 2023 season pitching for the Cubs. ZiPS projections have Fulmer posting a 4-4 record with a 4.41 ERA, 4.43 FIP, and 1.41 WHIP in 50 games over 51 innings in 2025.
If Fulmer goes unselected in the Rule 5 draft, he will compete for a spot in the bullpen this spring.
