Red Sox Announce Selection of José De León
Red Sox Roster Update: José De León to Start as Red Sox Prepare for Playoffs
Red Sox Activate José De León Amid Playoff Preparations
The Boston Red Sox have made strategic roster moves, selecting the contract of right-handed pitcher José De León. This decision comes after Ali Sánchez was outrighted last week, creating a vacancy on the 40-man roster. To accommodate De León on the active roster, left-handed pitcher Chris Murphy has been optioned. De León, 33, will take to the mound in today’s game for the Red Sox.
Strategic Pitching Choices for Playoff Readiness
Initially, Lucas Giolito was set to pitch today’s game. However, with the Red Sox having already clinched a playoff spot, Giolito is being reserved for the upcoming Wild Card series. Instead, the team will rely on De León to handle today’s game, sparing key relievers and Giolito for critical postseason matchups.
De León’s Journey and Current Performance
Despite once being a top prospect, De León’s major league experience is relatively limited. He made his debut in 2016 and has played in six MLB seasons, totaling 65 1/3 innings with a 7.44 earned run average. Plagued by injuries, including two Tommy John surgeries, his career has been challenging.
After missing the entire 2024 season, De León played winter ball in Puerto Rico (2024-25), convincing the Red Sox to offer him a minor league contract for 2025. This year, he made 22 appearances for the WooSox, including 13 starts, with 75 1/3 innings and a 6.93 ERA. His performance included a 14.4% walk rate and a 24.6% strikeout rate.
Looking Ahead: Postseason Considerations for the Red Sox
As the Red Sox strategize for the postseason, De León’s current role appears to be a temporary measure. His performance today will help preserve their bullpen for the Wild Card round. Although an off-day is coming up, conserving reliever workloads is a priority to ensure freshness for critical games.
It’s anticipated by Boston media that Sánchez might return to the postseason roster as a third catcher, offering manager Alex Cora more flexibility with in-game substitutions. De León, likely on a one-day assignment, might soon be replaced to accommodate this adjustment, particularly if Sánchez’s return is confirmed.
