Isaiah

Campbell

The Red Sox didn’t waste any time bringing back Campbell and Bryan Mata on Friday, signing each to minor league contracts just hours after they were non-tendered. Campbell missed the majority of the 2024 season due to shoulder woes, appearing in just eight games for the Red Sox and posting a troublesome 16.20 ERA and 2.40 WHIP over his 6 2/3 innings of work. He’ll continue to serve as extra bullpen depth.

The 27-year-old hurler had been designated for assignment on Tuesday to free up a spot on the club’s 40-man roster so it’s not surprising to see him non-tendered. Campbell missed the entire 2024 season due to a right shoulder injury and it’s still unclear whether or not he’ll be ready for the start of the 2025 campaign.

TINSTAAPP. The unquestioned top pitching prospect in Boston’s system for the last several years, Mata never quite broke through as injuries have derailed his career. The 25-year-old righty has yet to arrive in the big leagues and missed all of last year due to a right shoulder issue.

This was just a procedural move as today was the deadline for the Red Sox to move them onto the 40-man roster. There’s a chance each pitcher will be healthy for the start of the 2025 season. Hendriks, Whitlock, and Campbell all figure to have a good chance to open the season in the bullpen, and Giolito has a chance to be in the rotation early in the season.

The procedural move opens up a spot on Boston’s 40-man roster for the club to activate Trevor Story from the 60-day injured list. Campbell is done for the rest of the season after making eight relief appearances in the big leagues.

Campbell was just promoted on Monday after posting a 2.19 ERA, 0.97 WHIP, and 18/3 K/BB ratio in 12 1/3 innings at Triple-A. However, he was lit up for three runs on three hits in 1/3 of an inning in his only appearance this week. He’ll try to figure things out at Triple-A; although, that hasn’t helped so far this season. LHP Bailey Horn is allegedly being called up to take his place.

The Red Sox used eight relievers in Sunday’s game, so they needed a shakeup before the start of the Blue Jays series. Campbell was an important addition for the Red Sox in the offseason, but he struggled to start the season before landing on the IL. Since coming back, he has been solid in Triple-A, posting a 2.19 ERA, 0.97 WHIP, and 18/3 K/BB ratio in 12 1/3 innings. There’s a chance he could pitch his way back into a key role in the Red Sox bullpen as the summer goes on.

Booser was a great story as a 32-year-old who left baseball for four years in his twenties and finally made his MLB debut this season. He has acquitted himself well, posting a 3.21 ERA in 28 innings over 26 appearances with the Red Sox this season. However, the Red Sox are shuffling their bullpen around after using eight relievers in Sunday’s game. Booser pitched in three straight games, so the team is looking for a fresh arm. He should return in short order. Isaiah Campbell was promoted in a corresponding move.

The 26-year-old was acquired from the Red Sox in the offseason from the Mariners but posted a 12.79 ERA, 2.05 WHIP, and a 5/2 K/BB ratio over 6 1/3 innings before landing on the IL with right shoulder impingement. The right-hander did have a 2.83 ERA in 28 2/3 innings for the Mariners as a rookie last season, so he could be an important addition to the Red Sox bullpen if he can recapture that form in the minors while recovering from his injury.

The 26-year-old hurler was lit up once again by the Orioles on Thursday night and has struggled to a miserable 12.79 ERA, 2.05 WHIP and a 5/2 K/BB ratio over 6 1/3 innings of work. It’s unclear how long he’ll be sidelined for. Bobby Dalbec was recalled from Triple-A Worcester in a corresponding move on Friday.