WooSox place right-handed pitching prospect Bryan Mata on the 7-day injured list
The WooSox placed right-handed pitcher Bryan Mata on the 7-day injured list with right shoulder inflammation. The team will reinstate reliever Jake Thompson from the development list to take Mata’s spot on the roster.
Mata left his start for Worcester on Tuesday after throwing a 98 mph four-seam fastball in the bottom of the third inning.
Red Sox director of player development Brian Abraham told the Boston Globe’s Alex Speier that the problem was tightness in Mata’s right shoulder and it would likely require an injured list stint.
The 24-year-old struggled against the Rochester Red Wings prior to his injury and leaving the game. Mata allowed six runs, four earned on six hits while walking three and striking out five in 2 1/3 innings.
WooSox play-by-play announcer Tyler Murray tweeted the injury on Tuesday night, highlighting Mata was “dotting the corners.”
“Bryan Mata has looked incredible today, dotting the corners at 98, 99… but he leaves the game in the middle of the third with some apparent discomfort,” tweeted Murray.
Mata’s sinker was on point prior to coming out of the game, touching 99 mph a handful of times.
The Venezuelan native has dealt with injuries in the past, including back issues early on in his career and most recently Tommy John surgery. Mata missed all of 2021 and the first half of 2022 recovering from the procedure.
The news of Mata’s injury comes as a blow to the Red Sox pitching depth, as he figured to be a key factor for the big league roster at some point this season.
It is unknown as to how much time Mata will miss, but his shoulder injury could explain why he struggled with his command to begin the season. Mata posted a 0-3 record with a 5.61 ERA, 27 walks and 26 strikeouts in 25 2/3 innings of work. The 27 free passes also includes an inning where he hit four out of five batters he faced earlier this season.
Mata has the ability to impact the Red Sox major league roster and in a big way with his devastating sinker and power fastball. His health will be the deciding factor as to when he will get to Boston.
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