The Boston Red Sox have had plenty of bad signings this year, and it’s led them to an underwhelming 27-31 record ahead of Friday’s opener of a three-game series with the Atlanta Braves. While some moves like Garrett Crochet and Alex Bregman have panned out, others have had buyer’s remorse such as the 2023 signing of Lucas Giolito.
But some older signings have also kept the Red Sox in mediocrity over the past few seasons, including one who earned a surprise promotion with an American League bottom-feeder on Friday.
Former Red Sox Signing Dan Altavilla Promoted to Majors by White Sox
The Chicago White Sox announced on Friday that they have promoted right-handed pitcher Dan Altavilla to their major league roster. Altavilla opted out of his minor league deal with the White Sox on Wednesday but is returning to the team on the condition of a big league promotion and a prorated $1 million salary.
Altavilla pitched well with Triple-A Charlotte earlier this season, posting a 1-1 record with a 2.49 ERA in 20 relief appearances. But the 32-year-old has made several stops during his seven-year career, including a stint with the Boston Red Sox.
The Red Sox signed Altavilla in 2022 as he was recovering from Tommy John surgery. While he spent the entire first season of a two-year minor league deal rehabbing, he returned in 2023, making eight appearances between the rookie-level Red Sox and High-A Greenville. While he posted a 3.00 ERA and struck out seven batters in eight appearances, he also issued five walks in 12 innings, leading to his release before ever pitching a game for Boston.
Outside of his time with the Red Sox, Altavilla has spent parts of seven seasons in the majors, spending time with the Seattle Mariners, San Diego Padres, and Kansas City Royals. He’s posted a 4.36 ERA in 124 appearances in the majors while striking out 134 batters and 63 walks over 119.2 innings.
With his last appearance in the majors with the Kansas City Royals, the bar is low for a successful tenure with the White Sox. But Altavilla is back in the majors again, which is further than he got with the Red Sox.