The Red Sox announced they have selected the contract of righty reliever Isaiah Campbell. Fellow righty Richard Fitts has been optioned to Triple-A Worcester in a corresponding active roster move. Liam Hendriks has been transferred to the 60-day injured list to open a 40-man spot.
Campbell returns to the big leagues for his second stint with the Sox. Boston acquired him from Seattle in a one-for-one swap for infielder Luis Urías going into the ’24 season. Campbell was coming off a 2.83 ERA across 28 2/3 innings as a rookie. He looked like a nice pickup for Urías, who was on the verge of being non-tendered, but injuries wrecked his year. Campbell only managed 6 2/3 big league innings and was tattooed for 13 runs. He never seemed to be at full strength, pitching through shoulder and elbow injuries.
The Sox non-tendered Campbell in November. They immediately brought him back on a minor league contract, seizing the opportunity to take him off the 40-man roster without running him through waivers. He has been with Worcester all season, working to a 3.89 ERA in 39 1/3 frames. His 19.1% strikeout rate is well below-average, but he’s throwing strikes and getting a decent number of ground balls. His average fastball velocity is in the 94-95 MPH range after sitting a little above 93 while he battled injuries a year ago. Campbell still has an option remaining, so the Sox can send him back to Worcester without placing him on waivers.
Hendriks has been sidelined for over a month by inflammation in his right hip. He doesn’t have a clear timetable for a return. The 60 days reverts to his original IL placement on May 28. Hendriks is eligible for reinstatement in the final week of July but may not be ready by then, as he has yet to begin a rehab assignment. Between this hip issue and an extended recovery from 2023 Tommy John surgery, Hendriks has been limited to 14 appearances in a Boston uniform. He has surrendered 11 runs (10 earned) across 13 2/3 innings.
Thrills…
dewey – There’s no better team to make your MLB return against than the Rox.
Or Fever, what happens if you bottom out against the Rox?
Dear Lord …. I totally forgot Campbell was still kicking around in the minors.
I assume either Dobbins or Houck is starting Saturday.
I hope so. Though i could see Cora squandering a meaningful game with the Rays right before the break with a bullpen game figuring they all get the next 4 days off…
I saw one article reference Dobbins, but another poster assumed it was Houck. Both are getting close, so maybe Buehler gets bumped?
I disagree with some of the others here – the Red Sox biggest need is a good starting 1B. Maybe O’Hearn or Naylor. Gonzalez could continue as the RHH half of a platoon, except that he’s playing 2B these days. (Toro is weak vs. LHP.) Toro isn’t bad in a utility role, but he is playing over his head right now. And he’s not very good defensively.
They could also (always) use another impact arm in the pen. Probably isn’t Isaiah Campbell.
I wouldn’t say no to a good #2 starter, but the competition to acquire those is tough. Everybody benefits from top pitching. With Houck and Dobbins returning, the Red Sox are okay in the rotation for now.
Big series with the Rays coming up and a very tough slog coming out of the ASB. If the team makes it that far in good shape then it is worth investing in the improvements.
Fangraphs lists Dobbins on Friday, Crochet on Saturday, each on extra rest. Don’t know if they have a source or are just guessing.
If it wasn’t for Hendricks bbref page telling me his first name is pronounced LEE Um, I never would have known.
Doop – It’s an Aussie thing, kinda like Ian is pronounced “EEN”.
Isn’t Liam pronounced LEE um in most places?
No mommy, mommy, please Breslow please.
Really surprised Hendriks is still on the team. Sox must be hard-up for people to play for their team.
Probably a courtesy for a veteran guy so he can accrue more service time
I think he has a player option next year. If he’s healthy and still wants to play.
It’s a mutual option at 12m…. between his performance, his public unhappiness at his undefined role in the BP, and, that whole comments.from the fan base thing (to put it mildly for filters sake) i find it hard to picture that mutual option coming together.
That said, nothing to really be gained by cutting him loose
They just love paying pitchers to rehab with their staff.
The contract is likely insured and by moving him to the 60 day you save the 40 man rostor spot ..so no reason to not keep him around on the off chance he shows something down the line
Hes under contract, he isn’t on the roster you big baseball fan, you.
Revolving door of ineffective relievers
Red Sox bullpen is tied for third in ERA in the AL. mlb.com/stats/team/pitching/american-league/era?sp…
Until Cora blows it
I tend to believe Campbell will have a bounce-back season. He was dealing with an injury last year.
Hasn’t been that great in AAA though.
“Congratulations on your first big league victory last night Richard. As a reward you’re going back to AAA”
I cringe at even thinking of Campbell getting into a game…
they might as well empty the cupboard and see what they have as the trade deadline approaches, because, let’s be honest here- they are a very underwhelming team….
…they beat up the Reds, who are rebuilding and will be very good in a few seasons, the Nationals, who are bad, and the Rockies (so far), who are HISTORICALLY bad, and the offense is less offensive- but is that because they are coming together, or because the teams they are playing have lousy pitching? perhaps it’s both, but we won’t know until they start facing decent pitching again.
for me, the Sox need to be sellers at the deadline. Chapman will bring in a halfway decent haul. They should’ve tried to deal or cut Buehler by now. do they dangle Rafaela? Duran? Abreu? even an injured Bregman?
a bright spot is that Story is finally starting to hit. If he can stay healthy and keep this up, maybe the Sox get lucky and can unload him. yes, they’ll have to eat the contract, but I’m fine with that.
Anthony is showing signs of life. Meyer could well be very good in the end. Campbell will improve. There is reason for overall optimism, but this season shows that they are not quite there yet, and should be treated as a bridge, IMO.
I think a lot of people are going to overreact to the stretch the Sox are on, for the points you said.
The real test will come after the Rockies:
Rays
(All star break)
Cubs
Phillies
Dodgers
Twins
Trade deadline
If they are still in playoff contention at the deadline, they should be buyers.
The schedule gets much easier post-deadline with (in no order) Pirates, A’s, O’s, Marlins and D-Backs (if they decide to sell). With some tough series against Houston, NYY, DET,SDP and some others. They have a shot at making up some serious ground due to the easier games there.
But I’d say if they are more than like two games back of the wild card, they should be sellers.
No thanks. I’ll take a bag ‘o balls for Campbell. He stinks.