The Boston Red Sox reportedly are adding a longtime American League East adversary.
The Red Sox have agreed to a minor league contract with right-handed reliever Casey Janssen, according to multiple reports. The Boston Globe’s Peter Abraham reported Wednesday night that Janssen will first report to Single-A Lowell before later joining Triple-A Pawtucket.
Janssen spent last season with the Washington Nationals, posting a 4.95 ERA in 40 innings over 48 appearances. Before that, he’d spent his entire career with the Toronto Blue Jays, compiling a 3.52 ERA in 389 appearances — 22 of which were starts — over his first eight major league seasons.
Janssen, who missed all of 2008 with a torn labrum, initially struggled upon returning from his injury but eventually settled down to enjoy a breakout 2011 season in which he went 6-0 with a 2.26 ERA in 55 appearances spanning 55 2/3 innings. He spent three seasons as Toronto’s closer from 2012 to 2014, converting 81 of 91 save opportunities.
Janssen became a free agent after the 2015 season when the Nationals declined his $7 million option. The 34-year-old subsequently signed a minor league contract with the San Diego Padres but was released at the tail end of spring training.
Thumbnail photo via Brad Mills/USA TODAY Sports Images
