Two Red Sox pitchers that are options to be added to 40-man roster ahead of Tuesday's deadline
The Red Sox should make some roster moves ahead of Tuesday’s 6 p.m. deadline to protect players from the Rule 5 Draft in December.
Eligible players who are not selected to the Red Sox’ 40-man roster today will be available to all other MLB teams during the draft on Dec. 11.
Boston has two pitchers that will be interesting to watch on Tuesday, one is veteran reliever Michael Fulmer, who last pitched in 2023, missed all last season rehabbing from Tommy John surgery.
Fulmer is reportedly “trending well” and throwing off a mound, according to WEEI’s Rob Bradford.
The 31-year-old 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.
The former Cubs’ reliever’s deal includes a $1.5 million major league salary in each season, according to MassLive’sChris Cotillo. The deal will also include incentives and performance bonuses to max out at $2 million in 2025. Fulmer will need to be selected to the big league roster to earn his $1.5 million salary per season.
The righty offers a five-pitch mix, sweeper, four-seamer, cutter, sinker, and changeup. Fulmer used his sweeper (30.6%) and four-seamer (28.6%) the most in 2023. His sweeper was effective against opposing hitters, holding them to a .183 batting average and a .156 expected batting average. Fulmer ranked in the 92nd percentile in Whiff percentage, 95th in hard hit percentage, and 92nd in exit velocity.
The other is right-handed pitcher Hunter Dobbins, who pitched for both Double-A Portland and Triple-A Worcester last season.
Dobbins won the 2024 Red Sox minor league Starting Pitcher of the Year after he recorded a 3.08 ERA, 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.
It’s theoretically possible both pitchers are added to the 40-man roster on Tuesday. Boston has some options of players to designate for assignment off their roster, including left-handed reliever Bailey Horn, righty Isaiah Campbell, Bryan Mata and Chase Shugart.
