Red Sox Add Veteran Righty Joe Nelson to Bullpen Mix

With spring training just around the corner, the Red Sox have added another arm to their already crowded bullpen situation.

According to multiple sources, the Sox have agreed with 35-year-old righty Joe Nelson on a minor-league deal. As with most minor-league contracts given to major-league veterans, Nelson will have a shot to stick with the big club if he impresses in the spring.

Nelson seems to think he has a pretty good shot of finding a home in the pen at Fenway Park, telling MLB.com’s Alden Gonzalez that three or four teams expressed interest, but that the Red Sox were “the best fit.”

The reliever had his best season in 2008 with the Florida Marlins where he posted a 3-1 record with a save, 11 holds and an ERA of 2.00 while pitching 54 innings in 59 games. Last season his ERA more than doubled to 4.02 in 40 1/3 innings of work. He also walked 27 batters in 2009 as opposed to just 22 the year before.