Going into the midway point of the season, the Boston Red Sox are looking to make a run in the second half. Boston enters Tuesday’s game with the Los Angeles Angels with a record of 40-40 and an addition could make the difference whether they’re making a push toward the postseason or spending another October on their couch.
One of the areas the Red Sox could use a lift is in the bullpen. Boston relievers currently rank seventh with a 3.43 ERA but one more arm could help them close out some tight games down the stretch. To help that effort, the Red Sox will be welcoming a new reliever that fans may have forgotten about during the first half of the season.
Red Sox Pitcher Jovani Moran Reinstated From Triple-A Injured List
According to Mass Live’s Chris Cotillo, Red Sox reliever Jovani Moran has been reinstated from the injured list at Triple-A Worcester. The left-hander was acquired in a Christmas Eve trade with the Minnesota Twins in exchange for minor league infielder Mickey Gasper, but he has yet to make his debut as he recovered from Tommy John surgery.
It’s a mixed bag for a player who could be the latest addition to the Red Sox bullpen. While the 28-year-old has had flashes, including a 2022 season where he posted a 2.21 ERA with 54 strikeouts and 18 walks in 40.2 innings, he’s also had rough patches, such as his 2023 season, where he allowed a 5.31 ERA with 48 strikeouts and 27 walks in 42.1 innings.
Moran also has a lengthy injury history and was non-tendered by the Twins after going under the knife in 2023 before they brought him back for a rehab deal in 2024. Still, Moran has some upside as a pitcher that posted a 38.9% whiff rate and a 32.9% strikeout rate in 2022 according to Baseball Savant.
If Moran can reduce his 13.5% career walk rate, he could be a sneaky addition to the Red Sox bullpen and give Boston another arm to help make their first playoff appearance since 2021.