Recently DFA’d Red Sox Reliever Elects Free Agency Over Demotion

The 32-year-old struggled to stick in Boston.

Recently DFA’d Red Sox Reliever Elects Free Agency Over Demotion

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The Boston Red Sox lost some organizational pitching depth on Friday with the departure of a veteran journeyman.

"The Red Sox today outrighted right-handed pitcher Jeurys Familia off the major league roster," the Red Sox announced via Twitter. "He has elected to become a free agent."

The 6-foot-3, 240-pound reliever was designated for assignment Wednesday to clear a spot for infielder Yu Chang and appears to be done with the Red Sox organization.

Familia posted a 6.10 ERA with 10 hits allowed and an 8-to-7 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 10 1/3 innings.

After clearing waivers, Familia was left with two options. He could report to Triple-A Worcester and attempt to work his way back up to Boston or test free agency. Familia elected the latter.

Familia started the season with the Philadelphia Phillies and posted strikingly similar results, including a 6.09 ERA in 34 innings.

It's been a long fall from stardom for the right-hander, who was not only an All-Star in 2016 with a 2.55 ERA and league-leading 51 saves, but even placed No. 17 in MVP voting.

Despite seemingly still being in his prime, and still having his elite velocity, Familia has not been able to produce at the same level, or frankly even close to it.

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Published Sep 16, 2022

Scott Neville

Scott Neville covers the Boston Red Sox for Sports Illustrated's "Boston Red Sox On SI." Before launching the site (formerly called Inside The Red Sox), Neville attended Merrimack College, where he earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Communication and Media with a minor in Marketing. Neville spent all four years with Merrimack's radio station WMCK, where he grew as a radio/podcast host and producer. His propensity for being in front of a microphone eventually expanded to film, where he produced multiple short films alongside his then-roommate Stephen Mottram. On a journey that began as a way to receive easy credits via film classes, he received a call from "It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia" star Charlie Day. Day advised him to make a feature-length film, which he completed his senior year. While writing the film, Neville completed an internship for United Way as part of their NFL Partnership Program. Neville ran the blog for a team of interns and hosted an internet show called "United Way's NFL Partnership Series," where he interviewed NFL alumni. After college Neville wrote for SB Nation's "Over The Monster," a Red Sox sister site of the flagship brand. His work would eventually lead him to a job as a content producer with NESN, where he would cover all sports. After developing as a writer with the top regional network in the world, he was given the opportunity to join the Sports Illustrated Media Group (rebranded to On SI) in his current endeavor as the publisher of "Boston Red Sox On SI." Since then, he's added eight more regional sites with the company. Follow him on Twitter: @ScottNeville46 Email: scott@moreviewsmedia.com

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