Red Sox Recall Veteran To Start Last Game Of Regular Season
It's is first MLB appearance in over two years
The Boston Red Sox revealed an unexpected starting pitcher for Sunday’s game against the Detroit Tigers.
Boston recalled José De León from Triple-A Worcester before its regular-season finale. The 33-year-old will make his Red Sox debut and first MLB appearance since June 24, 2023.
The Red Sox optioned left-handed relief pitcher Chris Murphy, who pitched three innings in Saturday’s loss.
De León has a 7.44 ERA in 65 1/3 career MLB innings. The former 24th-round pick has pitched for four different teams, most recently allowing 10 runs in 17 1/3 innings with the Minnesota Twins two years ago.
De León hadn’t quite forced his way back to the big leagues. The right-hander registered a 6.93 ERA with the WooSox, allowing 52 walks and hitting 10 batters in 75 1/3 innings.
But he’s a fresh arm who last pitched on Sept. 20, allowing one run with eight strikeouts over 4 1/3 frames. Essentially, the Red Sox wanted someone to eat innings before the playoffs.
Regardless of Sunday’s outcome, Boston will open the postseason on the road. The Red Sox will face either the New York Yankees, Toronto Blue Jays or Cleveland Guardians as the No. 5 or 6 seed.
Boston thus opted against using Lucas Giolito, instead keeping him fresh for Game 2 or 3 of the first-round playoff series on Wednesday or Thursday. Garrett Crochet, who last pitched on Wednesday, is lined up for Tuesday’s Game 1.
The Tigers tabled Tarik Skubal after clinching a playoff berth on Saturday, but they can still secure the American League Central with a win and Guardians loss to the Texas Rangers. Detroit will start Chris Paddack, who has a 6.12 ERA since joining the team in a midseason trade with Minnesota.
Sunday’s Red Sox game starts at 3:05 p.m. ET on NESN.
