Alex Cora become emotional when promoting the Boston Red Sox..
As reported by Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com, the Red Sox have signed veteran reliever Joely Rodriguez to a minor league deal. Invites to major league spring training are part of the bargain.
Despite not counting against Boston’s 40-man roster, Rodriguez, who was at the Fenway The southern portion complex in Fort Myers on Thursday for practice, will have the chance to make the team’s Opening Day roster following camp the month that comes after that.
“Happy for him. Red Sox pitching coach Andrew Bailey, who verified Rodriguez’s impending contract to Sean McAdam of MassLive.com, stated, “We know health is a priority for him.” “He possesses electrical items. He’s here finishing off his physical. eager to meet him. We’re happy to welcome him back since we know he’s a decent guy and has a loud, lively personality.
The 32-year-old Rodriguez is back with the Red Sox after initially agreeing to a $2 million, one-year contract in November 2022 with a 2024 option. Though the contract he eventually signed was “a re-worked version of a previously agreed-upon deal that was revised once balky medicals came back,” according to Cotillo, the left-hander was Boston’s first free agency addition that winter.
Similar to January’s trade acquisition Richard Bleier, who was acquired from the Marlins, Rodrigue was expected to give manager Alex Cora a seasoned left-handed option out of the bullpen. Rather, he struggled with injuries all season long and finished with a career-worst 6.55 arbitrary average 4.71 it in just 11 appearances, in eleven innings of relief. He also had a strikeout to walk ratio of 14 to 6.
Following an injury sustained during a Grapefruit League game, Rodriguez was placed on the injured list for the start of the 2023 season. That meant he didn’t play for the Red Sox until May 17 and he struggled mightily right away, giving up nine runs (eight earned) in his first five outings (four innings) of the season. He was placed on the injured list once more in early June due to irritation in his left shoulder, and he wasn’t able to return to the major league pitch until the ninth of July
After starting to play again for Boston, Rodriguez went on a six-game winning streak during which he pitched seven innings effectively while striking out nine batters and walking none. Sadly, he suffered a hip injury in late July that ultimately caused his season to end early. Then, in November, the Red Sox exercised their club option over Rodriguez.
Cotillo reminded out that the Red Sox don’t have many choices for left-handed relievers. The only lefties on Boston’s 40-man roster right now are Brennan Bernardino, who had an impact last season after being claimed off waivers by the Mariners in April; the other players are Joe Jacques, Chris Murphy, and Brandon Walter.
In terms of competition for a spot in the Sox bullpen starting in 2024, Rodriguez is expected to join fellow non-roster invitees Jorge Benitez, Cam Booser, Lucas Luetge, and Helcris Olivarez.
“Lefties must be removed from office. Bailey informed McAdam that “you can never have too many lefties” and that the signing of Rodriguez was intended to provide depth. “We seized the chance to sign him when the front office presented it from happening.”
