Tigers claim Red Sox left-handed reliever off waivers
The Red Sox had a busy Friday afternoon, bringing back right-handed pitchers Bryan Mata and Isaiah Campbell. They also lost left-handed reliever Bailey Horn, who was claimed off waivers by the Tigers.
Horn, 26, made his major league debut with the Red Sox in late June after he was acquired from the White Sox in a minor trade in April. The southpaw didn’t pitch well in the majors, posting a 6.50 ERA in 18 innings over 18 games while allowing a whopping 22 hits over that span.
Horn’s numbers with the WooSox were more impressive. He put up a 2.15 ERA in 21 appearances while missing bats. The power lefty struggled to keep the ball in the strike zone with the big league club, but the Tigers appear to be taking a flyer on his 26.7% career strikeout rate at the Triple-A level.
The Tigers are adding a southpaw with a four-pitch mix where he primarily threw his sweeper (60.1% of the time) in the bigs. His sweeper wasn’t entirely effective while pitching out of the Red Sox bullpen, only garnering a 20.5% whiff rate.
He also threw a four-seam fastball (23.8%), cutter (9.9%), and curveball (6.3%). His fastball averaged 95 mph, according to Baseball Savant. If the Tigers can unlock something in the lefty, he can become a viable lefty option out of their bullpen next season.
With the addition of veteran lefty Justin Wilson this offseason, Horn became expendable. The Red Sox have a handful of lefties that can contribute out of the bullpen next season in Wilson, Brennan Bernardino, Cam Booser, and Zach Penrod. Despite that depth, the Red Sox are expected to upgrade their left-handed relief options.
