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Yahoo
16-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Boston Red Sox trade for ‘another good fastball in the bullpen'
BOSTON — Right-handed reliever Jorge Alcala, who the Red Sox acquired from the Twins in a trade Wednesday, is here at Fenway Park. He will be available out of the bullpen for Boston's series opener against the Yankees on Friday. Boston sent minor leaguer Andy Lugo to Minnesota. Advertisement 'Having another good fastball in the bullpen will benefit us,' manager Alex Cora said. 'Another breaking ball. Obviously (the bullpen is) a little bit banged up — not only the guys who are active but with (Justin) Slaten down, it makes sense to keep adding good arms.' Alcala has struggled this season with an 8.88 ERA in 24 ⅓ innings after posting a 3.24 ERA in 58 ⅓ innings last year. His average fastball velocity (96.9 mph) ranks in the 88th percentile among major league pitchers. Opponents have gone 8-for-39 (.205 batting average) with a .143 expected batting average against his four-seam fastball, his most often used pitch. Opponents have gone just 3-for-21 (.143) with a .155 expected batting average against his curveball, his third most used pitch. Advertisement His slider — his second most used pitch — has been an issue though. Opponents are 7-for-18 (.389 batting average) with a .295 expected batting average against it. 'I feel with the slider just missing the location of the pitch and I haven't been able to execute that pitch,' Alcala said through translator Carlos Villoria Benítez. Alcala said the trade took him by surprise and he's looking forward to a new opportunity. 'He's ready to go today,' Cora said. 'We'll see how we use him. But happy that he's with us.' Cora said Alcala has struggled with his command behind in counts. "The velocity's good," Cora said. 'The curveball is a good one. Texted with a few people I know in Minnesota. Great kid. There's a few things — probably lost a little confidence throughout the season. But you saw the year he put (together) last year." Advertisement Cora was asked if this trade was made because setup man Justin Slaten will be out longer than expected. Slaten (right shoulder inflammation) still has not begun throwing. Right-handed reliever Liam Hendriks, who's also on the IL with right hip inflammation, has begun throwing. 'I think it's adding another arm,' Cora said. 'That's important. Yeah, it's gonna take longer than expected (with Slaten). But it was just an opportunity that came up and we like the arm. We like the fastball.' More Red Sox coverage Read the original article on MassLive.
Yahoo
14-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Red Sox trade with Twins to boost pitching depth
The post Red Sox trade with Twins to boost pitching depth appeared first on ClutchPoints. The Boston Red Sox made several big moves during the offseason to load up for the 2025 season, but things haven't really panned out yet as the Red Sox currently have a losing record and are in 4th place in the AL East. In order to help change that, the Red Sox made another move on Wednesday as they acquired relief pitcher Jorge Alcala in a trade with the Minnesota Twins. The Red Sox bullpen just got stronger. Advertisement 'Sources: The Red Sox are acquiring pitcher Jorge Alcala in a trade with the Twins,' Robert Murray said in a post. In exchange for Jorge Alcala, the Twins will be receiving third baseman Andy Lugo. 'Source confirms Red Sox acquire righty Jorge Alcala from Twins for Andy Lugo,' Chris Cotillo said in a post. Alcala has had some strong seasons in his career, but this year is not one of them so far. He has appeared in 22 games for the Twins this season, and he has pitched 24.1 innings. Alcala has given up 29 hits and 24 earned runs in those 24.1 innings. His record is 0-2, and he has an 8.88 ERA. He has been struggling this season, but maybe a change of scenery will help Alcala return to his best form. Advertisement Last season was a much better year for Alcala as he appeared in 54 games and finished with a 3.24 ERA. To put things in perspective, he pitched 34 more innings last year and gave up three less runs than he has given up this year. This season has been bad, but there is a much better version of Alcala out there that the Red Sox are hoping to unlock. Jorge Alcala has been playing Major League Baseball since 2019, and he has been with the Twins for his entire career. He has had an up and down career as he doesn't have a lot of appearances in most of the seasons that he has played, but last year was certainly a step in the right direction. If Alcala can consistently find that part of his game, he can be a great reliever. The Red Sox have been struggling this season, so they could really use Alcala's best form for the remainder of the season. Related: Roman Anthony's instant reaction to 1st career hit, RBI vs. Rays Related: Ken Rosenthal's Red Sox truth bomb after Roman Anthony promotion
Associated Press
12-06-2025
- Sport
- Associated Press
Twins trade reliever Alcala to Red Sox for minor leaguer
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Twins dealt struggling reliever Jorge Alcala to the Boston Red Sox on Wednesday in exchange for minor leaguer Andy Lugo. The 29-year-old Alcala (0-2) has an 8.88 ERA in 22 appearances for the Twins this year. His final outing with Minnesota came Tuesday when he gave up five runs — four earned — in a 16-4 loss to Texas. Alcala debuted with the Twins in 2019 and pitched in a career-high 59 games in 2021. After finishing the 2024 season with a 3.24 ERA in 54 relief appearances, he had five games this season in which he allowed at least three runs out of the bullpen. Lugo, 21, was batting .265 with four home runs and 20 RBIs in 44 games for High-A Greenville. He has played both the infield and outfield during his minor league tenure but has spent most of the 2025 season in the infield. He made 21 starts at first base and 16 at third base. To make room for Alcala on its 40-man roster, Boston designated right-handed pitcher Brian Van Belle for assignment. Van Belle had not yet appeared in a major league game for the Red Sox this season after he was selected to the active roster on June 9. Left-hander Joey Wentz will take Alcala's spot on Minnesota's 26-man roster. The Twins claimed Wentz off waivers from Pittsburgh on Wednesday. ___ AP MLB:
