Kyle

Barraclough

The 33-year-old hurler has never started a game in his big league career, with all 291 of his appearances coming out of the bullpen, but he did start 13 games at Triple-A Worcester for the Red Sox in 2023 with a decent amount of success. He also started both of his appearances this season with the High Point Rockers of the independent Atlantic League. Perhaps the Rangers are viewing him as extra rotation depth. He’ll report to Triple-A Round Rock.

The 33-year-old former reliever found success this season as a starter at Triple-A Worcester, posting an 8-1 record with a 3.65 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, and 62 strikeouts in 74 innings. However, that did not carry over when the Red Sox called him up late in the season as a multi-inning bullpen option. Barraclough ended the season with a 12.91 ERA in 7 2/3 innings in the big leagues and will now look to get another shot with a new organization.

The right-hander had been designated for assignment on Sunday, but he passed through waivers unclaimed and will continue to function as extra bullpen depth for the Red Sox — at least for the time being. On the season, the 33-year-old hurler holds a 12.91 ERA, 2.61 WHIP and a 4/6 K/BB ratio across 7 2/3 frames at the big league level.

The veteran reliever turned starter pitched well in Triple-A but struggled to a 12.91 ERA and 2.61 WHIP across 7 2/3 innings with the big league club. He will likely be on the hunt for another minor league contract this winter.

Barraclough was obliterate for 10 runs over 4 1/3 innings on Monday night in mop-up duty against the Astros and will head back to the minors after throwing 94 pitches in relief. The 33-year-old righty could wind up getting another shot at some point in September.

Barraclough rejoins Boston’s bullpen mix heading into Monday’s series opener against the Astros. The 33-year-old journeyman right-hander has pitched exceptionally well this season for Triple-A Worcester, posting a stellar 2.43 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 41/23 K/BB ratio across 55 2/3 innings (10 appearances, nine starts). He’s made a pair of relief appearances this year in the big leagues and figures to pitch in long relief moving forward.

With Garrett Whitlock returning from the injured list on Sunday, Barraclough drew the short straw and will head back to Triple-A Worcester. The 33-year-old tossed 3 1/3 innings across two appearances and picked up his first win since 2021 on Friday night.

Barraclough, who opened the season in indy ball, won all seven of his starts and posted a 2.84 ERA for Worcester. It’s actually the first time the former Marlins reliever been treated as a starter since his final year in college in 2012. The Red Sox shouldn’t need him in that role, but he’s capable of throwing 80-90 pitches if needed.

Barraclough was one of the premier high-leverage relievers in baseball roughly a half-decade ago with the Marlins, but has bounced around the last few seasons. He’s made seven appearances (two starts) this season for the High Point Rockers of the independent Atlantic League. The 33-year-old righty posted a solid 3.00 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 9/4 K/BB ratio across nine innings (eight appearances) last season for the Angels and could get a shot relatively quickly in Boston’s injury-depleted bullpen.

Barraclough was one of the most effective relievers in baseball last decade, but has bounced around the last few years. The 32-year-old journeyman right-hander posted a solid 3.00 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 9/4 K/BB ratio across nine innings (eight appearances) this season for the Angels. He should be able to find a new opportunity this offseason as extra organizational relief depth.