Red Sox sign ex-top prospect to minor league deal, marking second Boston stint

Red Sox sign ex-top prospect to minor league deal, marking second Boston stint
José De León is a member of the Red Sox organization for the second time. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)AP

Days after adding Nick Burdi to their minor league camp roster, the Red Sox struck another minor league contract with a former top pitching prospect.

Boston has brought back 32-year-old righty José De León and assigned him to minor league camp, a source confirmed Wednesday. De León, who was briefly a member of the organization in 2021, had announced the signing himself on Instagram. De León missed the entire 2024 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery (the second of his career) in June 2023.

De León was a consensus top-40 prospect in baseball before both the 2016 and 2017 seasons as a member of the Rays and Dodgers organizations (he was traded to Tampa Bay for infielder Logan Forsythe in January 2017). He saw brief major league time in both of those seasons but started dealing with arm troubles during the 2017 campaign. He underwent his first Tommy John surgery in May 2018 and has pitched in five different organizations since, logging a total of 65 ⅓ big league innings (with a 7.44 ERA) in 34 games (7 starts) for the Dodgers, Rays, Reds and Twins. De León made 12 appearances for Minnesota in 2023 before getting hurt. He was a member of the Red Sox organization for the final two months of the 2021 campaign but only made two appearances, both in Rookie ball.

After finishing his rehab, De León showed a flash of potential in winter ball in Puerto Rico during the offseason. In 13 ⅔ innings between the regular season and Carribbean Series, he logged a 1.32 ERA while striking out 15 batters and allowing 12 hits. Red Sox manager Alex Cora likely got a good look at De León, who made two starts for Cora’s hometown team in Caguas.

De León profiles simply as minor league depth. He’s likely to start the year at Triple-A if he shows something in camp.

  • BETTING: Check out our MA sports betting guide, where you can learn basic terminology, definitions and how to read odds for those interested in learning how to bet in Massachusetts.
  • Ex-Boston Red Sox outfielder threatening to retire if he doesn’t get his perceived value (report)
  • Former Boston Red Sox ace likely to open season against old team
  • Ex-Boston Red Sox infielder agrees to minor league deal with NL team (report)
  • Will Boston Red Sox’ highest pick since 1967 be a doubles machine at Fenway Park?
  • Fenway Insider Live: Submit questions for MassLive’s Sean McAdam

If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

Related Posts

BREAKING: Alex Corа Prаіѕeѕ Young Red Sox Stаrѕ After Conѕecutіve Comebаck Wіnѕ

Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora responded to his young hitters steering back-to-back comeback wins over the Tampa Bay Rays.

$7.5 Mіllіon Red Sox Hаѕ Been Mаde Exрendаble аѕ Trаde Deаdlіne Aррroаcheѕ

The Boston Red Sox are a team that should be active ahead of the MLB trade deadline. Sitting five games back of the Toronto Blue Jays for first place in the Ame

Aѕtroѕ executіve fіred іn wаke of cheаtіng ѕcаndаl ‘very hаррy аbout whаt hаррened’

Jeff Luhnow made a tone-deaf statement that somehow makes it harder to see him returning to Major League Baseball absent any semblance of contrition.

Giants DH Rafael Devers dealing with disk injury in back

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) – San Francisco Giants designated hitter Rafael Devers is dealing with a disk injury in his lower back that has limited his production…

Pete Crow-Armѕtrong hаd іncredіble reаctіon to Aаron Judge robbіng hіm of HR

Chicago Cubs star Pete Crow-Armstrong had an incredible reaction on Friday to being robbed of a home run by Aaron Judge.

Wyаtt Lаngford аnd Adolіѕ Gаrcíа HRѕ helр Rаngerѕ to а 7-3 vіctory over Aѕtroѕ

HOUSTON (AP) – Wyatt Langford homered with a career-high tying four hits and Adolis García added a solo shot to lead the Texas Rangers to a 7-3 win over the…