Nick Burdi Elects Free Agency

Right-hander Nick Burdi has elected free agency, according to his transactions tracker at MLB.com. The reliever had been removed from the 40-man roster in July when he hit the 60-day IL with a hip injury. The Red Sox sent him outright to Triple-A Worcester in mid-August, and he was not added back to the 40-man roster before the end of the season. Since Burdi has more than three years of Major League service time, he was able to choose minor league free agency.

Burdi appeared in four games with the Red Sox in 2025. He tossed 5 1/3 scoreless innings from late May into early June, but went down with a foot injury. Burdi then picked up the hip issue on his rehab assignment and was transferred to the 60-day IL. Masataka Yoshida took his spot on the 40-man roster when he returned from a shoulder injury.

Burdi has pitched for four teams in parts of six big-league seasons. He debuted with Pittsburgh in 2018. Burdi made 16 appearances across three seasons with the Pirates. He was designated for assignment following the 2020 season and landed with San Diego on a minor league deal. Burdi spent 2021 and 2022 in the Padres’ minor league system. He made his MLB return in 2023 with the Cubs after coming over in the offseason via waiver claim, though he made just three appearances in Chicago. Burdi headed to the Yankees on a minor league pact in 2024. His tenure in New York was his most successful as a big leaguer, as he posted a 1.86 ERA over 12 outings. Hip inflammation ultimately ended his season early.

Injuries have been the story of Burdi’s career. In addition to the aforementioned hip and foot injuries, he’s had Tommy John surgery twice (2017, 2020) and thoracic outlet surgery (2019). Burdi also missed a huge chunk of the 2023 season with appendicitis.

Burdi will be 33 next season. He’s been able to parlay minor league deals into big-league work in each of the past three seasons, so there’s a chance he can find his way onto an MLB roster in 2026.