IMAGE: Sep 20, 2019; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; A detail view of Boston Red Sox hats and gloves at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-Imagn Images \/ Imagn Images<\/div>\n
As the calendar flips into mid-August, the Boston Red Sox are right in the thick of the playoff hunt. They didn\u2019t overhaul the roster at the trade deadline, but they did shore things up with two arms: lefty Steven Matz and right-hander Dustin May.<\/p>\n
Still, for a team with October aspirations, the bullpen needs more than just patchwork. The arms are getting taxed, the rotation’s had its shaky moments, and between designated assignments and Triple-A demotions, it\u2019s clear the Sox are going to need reinforcements.<\/p>\n
Fortunately, help might already be in-house. The Triple-A Worcester roster is loaded with potential.<\/p>\n
Some of these names you\u2019ve heard, some you haven\u2019t-but all of them could play a role down the stretch. It\u2019s just a matter of when the Red Sox are willing to call their number.<\/p>\n
Here\u2019s a breakdown of 11 bullpen options, grouped by how likely they are to join the Red Sox for the playoff push.<\/p>\n
\u26d4 Long Shots, But Don\u2019t Rule Them Out<\/p>\n
\u25b6 Connelly Early, LHP
\nEarly\u2019s numbers this year have been nothing short of spectacular.<\/p>\n
He dominated his way into a late-season Triple-A promotion, but the timing of that call-up might work against him. He profiles more as a starter long-term, and with just a few Triple-A appearances before roster decisions need to be made, Boston seems content to let him get his legs under him without rushing the process.<\/p>\n
Add to that the fact that Early doesn’t need to be protected on the 40-man roster until next offseason, and the Red Sox might opt for patience rather than pressure.<\/p>\n
\u25b6 Bryan Mata, RHP
\nOnce one of the most hyped arms in the system, Mata’s career has been derailed by injuries.<\/p>\n
Now 26, he still hasn\u2019t cracked the big leagues, but the tools remain electric. Over his last six outings (8 2\/3 innings), he\u2019s pitched to a 0.00 ERA with 11 strikeouts.<\/p>\n
He hits triple digits on the radar gun and misses bats with ease. The talent is there, but the bullpen\u2019s current logjam makes his path a little murky.<\/p>\n
\ud83e\udd37\ud83c\udffc Could Go Either Way<\/p>\n
\u25b6 Nick Burdi, RHP
\nBurdi has looked sharp in Worcester and impressed in a brief Boston cameo.<\/p>\n
The knock? He\u2019s missed significant time due to injury, which clouds his durability.<\/p>\n
If the Red Sox want a high-octane, back-end option, Burdi\u2019s stuff fits the mold-but do they trust his availability in a playoff setting?<\/p>\n
\u25b6 Zack Kelly, RHP
\nKelly might not have wowed with the surface numbers-a 5.56 ERA doesn’t exactly jump off the stat sheet-but dig a little deeper and it’s clear he\u2019s better than that.<\/p>\n
His 3.64 FIP tells a different story, and his control can be erratic, but the strikeout stuff is there. He’s been through some ups and downs with the big club already, so a September return is very much on the table.<\/p>\n
\u25b6 Kyle Harrison, RHP
\nRed Sox fans are understandably eager to see more of the return piece from the Rafael Devers trade.<\/p>\n
Lately, Harrison\u2019s been dealing on the mound, and there\u2019s star potential in his arm. But there are signs that the organization is taking the long view here-fine-tuning his mechanics and aiming for a possible 2026 rotation spot.<\/p>\n
He might arrive sooner, but don\u2019t be shocked if they keep the slow-and-steady approach.<\/p>\n
\ud83d\udd01 Trending Toward a Call-Up<\/p>\n
\u25b6 Richard Fitts, RHP
\nFitts has shown flashes-he throws hard and competes, but he hasn\u2019t missed enough bats and has been prone to giving up the long ball.<\/p>\n
That said, a short bullpen stint might be the fix. Asking him to empty the tank for one or two innings could unleash a new level of swing-and-miss potential.<\/p>\n
\u25b6 Cooper Criswell, RHP
\nCriswell has quietly given the Red Sox quality innings this season.<\/p>\n
After logging a stellar spot start post-deadline, he\u2019s been lights out in Triple-A. The numbers won\u2019t shock you, but this is the kind of stable, major league-ready arm who could soak up innings and keep the game under control when the lights get bright.<\/p>\n
\u25b6 Jovani Moran, LHP
\nThis is a name deserving more buzz.<\/p>\n
Acquired in an offseason deal, Moran didn\u2019t begin pitching until June due to injury, but he\u2019s absolutely made up for lost time. With a 2.60 ERA, 0.98 WHIP, .215 opponent batting average, and 25 strikeouts in just over 17 innings, he\u2019s making a strong case.<\/p>\n
Add in the fact that he\u2019s already pitched in the majors, and Moran looks like a smart, safe bet to bolster the left side of the bullpen.<\/p>\n
\u25b6 Tyler Uberstine, RHP
\nUberstine might be one of the better under-the-radar stories in the system.<\/p>\n
After a 2024 marred by injury (just 4 2\/3 innings in High-A), Boston took a gamble by starting him in Double-A this year. He responded by earning a promotion to Triple-A in short order.<\/p>\n
Since transitioning to a bullpen role, he\u2019s been nasty: five innings, 10 strikeouts, and just one run allowed. The stuff jumps out of his hand, and moving to relief may have unlocked something special.<\/p>\n
\ud83d\udea8 Let\u2019s Make It Happen<\/p>\n
\u25b6 David Sandlin, RHP
\nSandlin is officially in the mix-and Boston\u2019s actions say as much.<\/p>\n
After being bumped up to Triple-A, the Sox swiftly shifted him to a bullpen role, signaling that they\u2019re not just experimenting. They\u2019re prepping him for a real shot.<\/p>\n
He brings high-octane heat (touches 100 MPH), and his off-speed pitches look ready for immediate impact. Plus, he\u2019ll need to be added to the 40-man roster this offseason anyway to protect him from the Rule 5 Draft, so the team might opt to get ahead of it and give him a few pressure reps heading into 2026.<\/p>\n
The right move might be to rip off the bandage and let the \u201cSandman\u201d deal.<\/p>\n
\u25b6 Payton Tolle, LHP
\nTolle was the Sox\u2019s second-round pick this year and hasn\u2019t wasted a second making his case.<\/p>\n
After soaring through the lower levels, he recently made his Triple-A debut. And while he’s primarily been a starter, Boston’s been cutting his pitch count-and that could mean one thing: they’re prepping him for a bullpen role in September.<\/p>\n
If so, buckle up. The lefty has shown dazzling stuff, and a big-league debut this fall could give fans a thrilling sneak peek at what\u2019s to come.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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<\/p>\n