Why Red Sox Decision On Former Top Pitching Prospect Got Pushed Back

The Boston Red Sox were supposed to make a decision on Bryan Mata’s future with the organization this past Monday.

But the Red Sox will have more time to mull things over with the former top pitching prospect dealing with yet another injury.

The Red Sox announced Friday, per MassLive’s Chris Cotillo, that Mata was returned from his rehab assignment with Triple-A Worcester and remains on the 15-day injured list after exiting Sunday’s game with right elbow inflammation.

The 25-year-old right-handed pitcher is out of minor league options and with his rehab assignment window all but closed, it will force the Red Sox to either put Mata on the active roster or designate him for assignment.

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That’s certainly not what the Red Sox envisioned for Mata, who signed with Boston as an international free agent in 2016 and was ranked as the organization’s top pitching prospect by SoxProspects.com just two years ago.

Numerous injuries derailed Mata’s development. He didn’t pitch in 2020 with the COVID-19 pandemic canceling minor league seasons and then missed the 2021 campaign due to Tommy John surgery. The major injury caused him to miss half of the 2022 season, but he impressed in his return by going 7-3 with a 2.49 ERA and 105 strikeouts in 83 innings across four levels of Boston’s minor league system.

But Mata couldn’t stay healthy again last season while with Worcester. He tossed only 27 innings as he missed over four months due to a right teres major strain.

Another injury sidetracked Mata at the outset of this year with him looking to crack the Opening Day roster in an all-important season. He didn’t make his first appearance of the season until mid-May and hasn’t been incredibly effective, either. He owns a 4.50 ERA to go along with 10 strikeouts and six walks in 10 innings with Worcester before his latest injury popped up.