The Boston Red Sox added some familiar depth to the organization with spring training games starting Friday.
Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow has been tasked with finding starting pitching and a right-handed bat with positional versatility as potential impact additions ahead of Opening Day -- but one underrated weakness was identified and addressed on Thursday.
"Joely Rodríguez re-signs on a minor league deal, source confirms," MassLive's Chris Cotillo reported Thursday. "He’s in big league camp."
Rodríguez was limited to just 11 innings with the Red Sox due to three separate stints on the injured list. He allowed nine runs (eight earned) in the small sample size but had a respectable 4.47 ERA in 50 1/3 innings with the New York Mets in 2022.
The 32-year-old southpaw joins a very right-handed heavy pitching staff that will rely on breakout reliever Brennan Bernardino to sustain his impressive play last season.
After Bernardino -- who is the only left-hander that has a guaranteed spot on the roster, the depth options include Joe Jacques, Chris Murphy and Brandon Walter.
That group could use some veteran insurance, which is where Rodríguez steps in. It's notable that Breslow was able to convince Rodríguez to sign a minor-league deal, as that means he does not take up a 40-man roster spot.
Adding upside players for minor-league deals always is a good idea. If he stinks for Triple-A Worcester, he can be cut for next to nothing. If he lives up to the organization's expectations, he'll be an important addition to the roster down the line.
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