Red Sox Sign Ex-Angels Hurler To Bolster Pitching Depth For 2023 Season
The Boston Red Sox added to their organizational depth prior to Friday's game.
The move is much needed given the slew of injuries the pitching staff has sustained combined with replacement-level performances by Kaleb Ort and Ryan Brasier.
The Red Sox claimed Justin Garza off of waivers from the Los Angeles Angels, the club announced.
Garza posted a 4.32 ERA with a hold, two saves (in as many chances) a 5-to-4 strikeout-to-walk ratio and .207 batting average against in 8 1/3 innings for Triple-A Salt Lake.
Last season Garza recorded a 4.64 ERA with a 50-to-19 strikeout-to-walk ratio and .220 batting average against in 42 2/3 innings.
Will he be the savior for the back of the bullpen? That's a long shot but it won't be hard to better Ort or Brasier.
The 29-year-old's only time spent in the big leagues came in 2021 when he posted similar numbers as the aforementioned Triple-A stats.
Before the fanbase overreacts to Red Sox chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom adding another middling reliever, it should be noted that Garza should be seen as nothing more than organizational depth.
With Chris Martin expected to return in the coming days, we might not see Garza anytime soon. If we do, it'll be for one of the two players fans have been begging to get rid of.
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