Red Sox reinstate pitcher Perez from COVID list

Share
0:00
0:00 / 1:04

John Tomase explains why the Red Sox are headed towards a tough decision in terms of what do with Xander Bogaerts as the team’s everyday shortstop.

With their postseason positioning growing more perilous by the day, the Boston Red Sox are getting a fresh arm back off the COVID-19 injured list.

The team announced prior to Tuesday's game against the Seattle Mariners that pitcher Martin Perez was coming off the list after initially testing positive for COVID on Aug. 30.

In a corresponding move, the Red Sox sent pitcher Kaleb Ort to Triple-A Worcester. Ort, 29, had made his big league debut in Monday's 5-4 loss to the Mariners, giving up one hit and walking a batter in a third of an inning.

Tomase: It's time to talk about Bogaerts' future at shortstop

The 30-year-old Perez, who was removed from Boston's rotation in August after posting a 4.77 earned run average in 22 starts to begin the season, has fared even worse in a bullpen role. Over nine relief appearances prior to testing positive for COVID, Perez recorded a 6.43 earned run average over seven innings pitched, walking two and striking out seven.

Entering play Tuesday, the Red Sox were percentage points behind the New York Yankees for the second and final wild-card spot in the American League playoff picture and two games ahead of the Mariners. After winning its first four games in September, Boston has dropped six of its last eight to fall behind both the Yankees and surging Toronto Blue Jays in the wild-card race.

Contact Us