The Boston Red Sox made a significant change to their bullpen on Tuesday by designating Jorge Alcala for assignment. This move comes as Alcala struggled in his recent outings, culminating in a particularly rough performance against the Kansas City Royals where he gave up three hits and three earned runs in just one out.
Alcala, acquired from the Minnesota Twins in June, had shown promise initially—recording a 3.31 ERA and striking out 18 batters over 16.1 innings in his 19 appearances. His performance appeared to improve after transitioning to the Red Sox, where his ERA notably dipped from 8.88 to 5.95 at one point, indicating a potential turnaround. However, his recent performances have taken a turn for the worse, with six hits and four earned runs over his last two innings pitched, and he allowed three home runs in his last four outings.
The Red Sox now face a week to determine Alcala’s future, with options to trade, waive, or release him. Given Alcala’s experience, there is a possibility he could decline a minor-league assignment and instead choose free agency.
In the same breath, Boston has called up Isaiah Campbell from Triple-A Worcester to fill the void left by Alcala. Campbell has had a solid season in the minors, with a 6-6 record and a 4.17 ERA across 34 appearances. However, his return to the major leagues comes after a challenging outing against the Rockies where he struggled, allowing four hits and two earned runs in just two innings.
This bullpen shuffle also hints at the impending return of reliever Justin Slaten, who is nearing full recovery from his injury. The Red Sox are hoping these changes will bolster their pitching staff as they continue their season.
The recent moves signal the team’s commitment to improving performance on the mound, showcasing their willingness to make tough decisions for the betterment of their overall roster.