WEDNESDAY, 2:28pm: ESPNBoston's Joe McDonald tweets that Nelson has cleared waivers, so we should find out tomorrow whether or not the righty will accept a minor league assignment.
FRIDAY, 7:49pm: Nelson hinted at retirement following the move, according to MLB.com's Ian Browne.
"I've got a flight at 7:15, and I'm going to Florida and in all likelihood, if I clear waivers, I've probably thrown my last pitch," said Nelson. "I don't anticipate myself going back to [Triple-A] Pawtucket, but that's emotion talking right now and we'll probably reanalyze it when I'm not as disappointed. I had every opportunity and I didn't produce. The thought of going to Triple-A doesn't sound that great. We'll wait and see what options present themselves."
Nelson battled major arm injuries early in his career, including a pair of surgeries to repair the labrum in his throwing shoulder. He broke through with the Royals in 2006, but has bounced around quite a bit since. Baseball-Reference.com has his career earnings at just under $1.7MM.
2:41pm: The Red Sox designated Joe Nelson for assignment as part of a flurry of moves, according to Amalie Benjamin of the Boston Globe (via Twitter). The team also activated Jonathan Papelbon from the bereavement list, called up Scott Atchison and placed Jeremy Hermida on the DL.
Nelson, 35, had a 9.72 ERA in 8.1 innings this year with 9.7 K/9 and 6.5 BB/9. Those high strikeout and walk rates are characteristic of the ones the right-hander has posted over the course of his six-year MLB career. Nelson posted a 2.49 ERA in 21.2 innings at Triple A this year, with similarly high strikeout and walk numbers.
It seems Nelson has become a AAAA pitcher. He is great in AAA, but can’t handle the majors – at least not the AL East.
It seems Nelson has become a AAAA pitcher. He is great in AAA, but can’t handle the majors – at least not the AL East.
Big changes ,eh? And, just before the weekend…
Big changes ,eh? And, just before the weekend…
Sox need more decent bullpen arms.
I agree. It is funny how before the season started, people were talking about how good the pitching was going to be, and bemoaning the offense. The offense has been incredible, and the pitching has been suspect (obviously). I think that if they do get some good bullpen arms, they are going to be playing some great baseball.
people who bemoaned the offense were dumb imo. I knew they would be one of the best hitting teams. But the pitching is surprising but they still have a deep bullpen with ramon, manny (hurt now), oki, bard, pap. I’m sure a lot of teams would trade their guys for those 5.
people who bemoaned the offense were dumb imo. I knew they would be one of the best hitting teams. But the pitching is surprising but they still have a deep bullpen with ramon, manny (hurt now), oki, bard, pap. I’m sure a lot of teams would trade their guys for those 5.
I agree. It is funny how before the season started, people were talking about how good the pitching was going to be, and bemoaning the offense. The offense has been incredible, and the pitching has been suspect (obviously). I think that if they do get some good bullpen arms, they are going to be playing some great baseball.
Sox need more decent bullpen arms.
Next up: Boof Bonser
No kidding. Can’t seem to do anything right with his pitches thus far.
No kidding. Can’t seem to do anything right with his pitches thus far.
Damned straight. Boof looks and pitches like that fat old guy who comes on in relief in the Budweiser commercial, where the bar patrons ask the manager for more time to party. This guy is gonna get outright released within the week.
All this back and forth with soft tossers like Joe Nelson (who i wanted to see anyway) Schoenweiss, older finished guys like Embree and the abundance of useless former mlb/AAAA types like Castro, Ramon A. Ramirez, Baird, Paronto who even stink it up at the AAA level… One would think the Boston FO would finally give Sox draftees like Dustin Richardson, a hard throwing lefty who may have some trouble with control, but is still better than the rubbish they have been calling up on the roller coaster and Robert Manuel, a soft tossing righty who has been nearly unhittable thus far and has a sparkling 1.08 ERA and 28K, 7BB .093 WHIP in 32IP this year. All by far better than anyone else at the AAA squad.
All this back and forth with soft tossers like Joe Nelson (who i wanted to see anyway) Schoenweiss, older finished guys like Embree and the abundance of useless former mlb/AAAA types like Castro, Ramon A. Ramirez, Baird, Paronto who even stink it up at the AAA level… One would think the Boston FO would finally give Sox draftees like Dustin Richardson, a hard throwing lefty who may have some trouble with control, but is still better than the rubbish they have been calling up on the roller coaster and Robert Manuel, a soft tossing righty who has been nearly unhittable thus far and has a sparkling 1.08 ERA and 28K, 7BB .093 WHIP in 32IP this year. All by far better than anyone else at the AAA squad.
Minor league K w/ the Reds? They have like 4 guys throwing with ERA’s like his…. can’t hurt to try a new guy out lol
Minor league K w/ the Reds? They have like 4 guys throwing with ERA’s like his…. can’t hurt to try a new guy out lol
That train of thought makes the mistake of equalizing the two’s talent levels. If Papelbon were to be the “Evil Mariano Rivera,” he would first have to be as good as him.
That train of thought makes the mistake of equalizing the two’s talent levels. If Papelbon were to be the “Evil Mariano Rivera,” he would first have to be as good as him.