Spring Training is here and the Boston Red Sox are settled into Fort Myers as they are set to kick off their highly-anticipated 2025 campaign after a successful offseason.
After a dramatic couple of days surrounding the organization, more bad news has hit the Red Sox, as they will be without one of their younger bullpen arms for some time. This injury comes at an unfortunate time for a player who adds valuable depth to the Red Sox's revamped bullpen.
Red Sox News: Zach Penrod Suffers Elbow Injury
MassLive.com's Chris Cotillo reported that Red Sox reliever Zach Penrod felt some soreness in his elbow on Wednesday and is awaiting MRI results.
Penrod has a sore elbow and is getting an MRI. There’s some concern. Cora just said he expects the Red Sox to add lefty bullpen help soon.
— Chris Cotillo (@ChrisCotillo) February 20, 2025
Penrod has had an up-and-down path to the majors, as he started last season in Worcester and struggled, then was sent down to Portland, where he got the call-up to play for the Red Sox after posting a sub-3 ERA with the Sea Dogs.
The 27-year-old lefty made his debut for the Red Sox in September 2024. He appeared in 7 games for Boston, allowing 3 hits, 1 earned run, 4 walks, and 3 strikeouts through four innings pitched. He held hitters to a .200 batting average in those appearances.
Penrod was set to battle it out with lefty relievers like Brennan Bernardino in hopes of making the Opening Day roster, but his effort will have to wait as more details come out about his injury.
Depth in the bullpen is crucial as arms start to wear out over the course of the long season, as the Red Sox could use every bit of that depth after having a below-average bullpen last season.
The Red Sox are no strangers to elbow injuries to pitchers in Spring Training, as Lucas Giolito suffered a season-ending UCL injury last March that required surgery. Giolito is back in the fold for Boston this season as the projected No.5 starting pitcher according to MLB.com.
As a result of the Penrod news, the Red Sox signed lefty Matt Moore to a minor league contract. The 35-year-old reliever was an All-Star for the Rays in 2013.
MRI results will further determine the extent of the injury and will give a timetable for Penrod's return. For now, the bullpen will be hoping for improvement this season after signing Aroldis Chapman and getting Liam Hendriks back from injury.
The Red Sox kick off their Spring Training games this weekend, as they face the Northeastern Huskies on Friday at JetBlue Park.