Unlikely Red Sox Pitcher Earns Win In Regular Season Finale

Outside of seeding, the Boston Red Sox didn’t have much to play for in their regular series finale against the Detroit Tigers on Sunday. With one day off between the regular season and the start of the playoffs, Boston was more concerned with lining up their pitching staff and protecting their players.

Lucas Giolito was lined up to pitch, but with next to no stakes, the Red Sox decided to allow him to rest. His velocity and command have both declined recently, potentially due to the rigors of a full season.

In Giolito’s stead, the Red Sox called up Jose De Leon from Triple-A Worcester. The 33-year-old pitcher has been the definition of a journeyman for his career. He debuted in 2016 and had amassed 65 1/3 innings for four teams entering Sunday’s game.

On Sunday, De Leon stepped up in a big way. The Red Sox needed innings, and De Leon gave them 6 2/3 of them, allowing just three runs and striking out eight. He earned the win in the process, his first since 2019.

The veteran didn’t know he was starting until Saturday. He was at home in Puerto Rico with his family when the Red Sox called to ask if he could pitch.

“It’s probably the craziest thing that’s happened in my career,” De Leon said. “I was just at home. Yesterday, they told me they needed a starter. I’ve been doing it all year in Triple-A, whatever they need, I’m here for it, and I told them I was ready.

De Leon didn’t have to pitch. He won’t pitch in the postseason, and he’ll be designated for assignment to make room on the 40-man roster after the year. The minor league season is over, and the veteran had already started his offseason. To return to the states to help the team through one game is admirable in itself. To pitch as well as De Leon did is an even more impressive feat.

When Red Sox manager Alex Cora exited the dugout to remove De Leon in the seventh inning, the two shared a smile and exchanged words. De Leon exited the game to a standing ovation from the Fenway Park crowd.

“When [Cora] called me yesterday, he asked me if I had 100 pitches in me, and I told him 120. When he came out to take me out, I looked at the board and it said 101, so I was telling him I have 19 left,” De Leon said.

If De Leon wants to keep pitching, he can probably find a minor league deal next season. For now, he can return to Puerto Rico and restart his offseason.