The Boston Red Sox just added a little left-handed pitching depth to their roster.
The club announced Tuesday that it had traded minor-league pitcher Anthony Ranaudo to the Texas Rangers for Robbie Ross Jr. The 25-year-old left-hander has experience as a reliever and as a starter over three seasons with the Rangers.
Ross had a down year in 2014, but he comes with more major-league experience than Ranaudo, which is what the Red Sox need right now. Ross went 3-6 with a 6.20 ERA and 51 strikeouts over 78 1/3 innings of work, but his starts were promising. The lefty allowed two or fewer runs in six of his 12 starts and boasted a 2.45 ERA after his first five. He also enjoyed an April walkless streak that lasted 99 batters.
In Ranaudo, the Red Sox give up the International League’s Most Valuable Pitcher, who posted a 14-4 record with a 2.61 ERA and 111 strikeouts with Triple-A Pawtucket. Ranaudo went 4-3 with a 4.81 ERA in seven starts with Boston.
Thumbnail photo via Matthew Emmons/USA TODAY Sports Images
