Red Sox Acquire Bullpen Help In Trade With NL Seller

Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow is on the board Tuesday.

Boston acquired right-handed pitcher Lucas Sims from the Cincinnati Reds, in exchange for minor league right-handed pitcher Ovis Portes on Tuesday.

The Red Sox designated left-hander Brandon Walter assignment to make room on the 40-man roster.

Sims is an interesting addition for the Red Sox, having posted a 3.57 ERA with 40 strikeouts and 20 walks in 43 games with the Reds this season. He’s been much better since May 10, though, recording a 2.25 ERA and allowing zero home runs in his last 14 outings.

The 30-year-old’s best trait is producing soft contact, ranking in the 95th percentile in average exit velocity (86.1 MPH), as well as the 74th percentile in strikeout rate (26.0%) in all of MLB.

Portes, 19, signed with the Red Sox as an international free agent 2022 and had a 3.29 ERA with Single-A Salem this season.

Sims will be a free agent following the 2024 season.