Red Sox call up lefthander Eduardo Rivera, who has never pitched above Double
The Boston Globe • • sports
Key Points:
- Edwin Rivera, 22, made his major league debut for the Boston Red Sox with 3⅓ scoreless innings of relief in a 4-1 loss, despite being a surprising call-up due to the team's pitching shortages.
- Rivera, who did not participate in spring training with the major league team and had pitched only two games at Double-A this season, was chosen because the Red Sox deemed him their best option amid recent depth challenges.
- The Red Sox value Rivera’s pitching potential, highlighted by his fastball averaging around 98 mph and his effective splitter, with officials noting his strong performance in the World Baseball Classic for Puerto Rico.
- Manager Alex Cora emphasized Rivera’s hard work and versatility as both a long and short reliever, expressing excitement about his contribution to the team.
- To accommodate Rivera on the 40-man roster, the Red Sox moved Triston Casas to the 60-day injured list; meanwhile, Roman Anthony is sidelined with a sore back, and the team is considering Rivera as a potential starter in upcoming games.
