Here’s a roundup of some recent minor moves…
- The Red Sox have signed reliever Mark Montgomery to a minor league contract, Emily Waldon of The Athletic reports. The deal runs through 2019, per Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com. The 27-year-old Montgomery got off to a strong start this season with the Tigers’ Triple-A affiliate, pitching to a 1.98 ERA with 11.2 K/9 and 5.27 BB/9 in 13 2/3 innings. But the Tigers released Montgomery on July 9 on account of elbow inflammation, and it’s unclear whether he’ll be able to pitch again this season, according to Cotillo. Historically, Montgomery has held his own in the minors when he has been healthy enough to take the mound. Also a former Yankees and Cardinals farmhand, the right-hander has logged a 2.71 ERA with 10.5 K/9 and 3.9 BB/9 in 182 1/3 Triple-A frames.
- Indians lefty Ryan Merritt has cleared waivers and subsequently outrighted to Triple-A Columbus. Merritt has only recently become healthy after spending the entire 2018 season on the disabled list. He owns a 1.71 career ERA and 2.71 FIP in 31 career major league innings (while striking out a hysterically low 3.69 K/9), but the Indians weren’t able to find room for him on the active roster, particularly with an alarming drop on his already-low average fastball velocity. Merritt’s perhaps best known for starting Game 5 of the 2016 ALCS for an injury-riddled Indians club, and even more remarkably allowing no runs across 4 1/3 innings en route to a Cleveland victory that helped them advance to the World Series.
I’m glad to see that Merritt cleared waivers. He might never be anything more than a depth option, but I still like him.
Surprised nobody claimed Merritt. I know his rehab and 2018 hasn’t gone too well but figured somebody would put in a claim and gear him up for 2019.
He had Angels nearly stamped on his forehead. Blown away they didn’t claim.
Wonder if it means they are finally recognizing their issues and deciding guys fresh off injury may not be best idea for them
Reds should’ve claimed Merritt
I guess the out of options thing is what did it. Still shocked no sellers tried to grab him as post trade replacements.
Great move for the BoSox though. Love Montgomery.
Guess he didn’t get claimed because he didnt Merritt a spot on any 40 man roster.
Well played, sir
For what it’s worth, the Indians’ transaction page says that they signed Rob Brantly too