Joe Kelly fires back at the Yankees
FORT MYERS, Fla. - For the second time this week, the Red Sox are adding a veteran reliever to their bullpen mix, agreeing to terms on a minor-league deal with left-hander Matt Moore, per a major league source. The move comes two days after the Sox inked Adam Ottavino to a minor-league contract with an invitation to big league camp.
The 36-year-old Moore will be added to a group of southpaw relievers that include Aroldis Chapman, Justin Wilson, Brennan Bernardino and Zach Penrod, all of who are on the 40-man roster. (Red Sox manager Alex Cora did note Thursday that Penrod has experienced elbow soreness and was awaiting results of an MRI.)
Moore spent 2024 with the Angels, struggling for much of the season before ending the campaign with a forearm strain, finishing with a 5.03 ERA in 51 appearances.
Current Red Sox Patrick Sandoval, who not only played with Moore with the Angels but worked out with him in Scottsdale, Ariz. during the offseason, raved about the acquisition.
"He was someone that kind of took me under his wing when he came over the Angels two years ago," Sandoval told WEEI.com. "We’ve got a good relationship. When he’s on the mound he flips a switch and turns into a different human. He’s a dog on the mound. A competitor. He just looks angry out there. He’s on a mission. And then off the field he’s one of the nicest, funniest dudes you’ll meet. I have nothing but good things to say about him. Him flipping the switch when he gets on the mound, it’s fun to watch. It’s fun to watch him get in that zone. He exudes confidence out there."
Once the top pitching prospect in baseball when coming up in the Rays' system, Moore resurrected his career after moving to the bullpen with Texas in 2022. Prior to that the lefty had struggled as a starter after undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2014.
Throughout 2022-23, Moore was a dominant reliever, totaling 2.20 ERA in 113 games, while averaging 10.16 strikeouts per nine innings. Last season, he struggled after turning in a strong April (.209 batting average against).
Moore became one of the first players to sign a major league contract extension with less than a season of big league time, having inked a five-year, $14 million deal with just 19 major league inings.