...
By Jon Paul Hoornstra
Contributing Sports Writer
0
Share
Newsweek is a Trust Project member
See more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
The Boston Red Sox released veteran reliever Matt Moore from his minor league contract. Moore, an All-Star early in his career with the Tampa Bay Rays, was trying to work his way back to the majors with Triple-A Worcester.
According to his player page on MLB's official website, Moore was released Thursday.
Although he did not allow a run in four spring training games with Boston, he accepted his minor league assignment in March and did not exercise the opt-out clause in his contract.
Read More on MLB
More news: Red Sox Promote One of Their Top Prospects for MLB Debut
Moore had not appeared in a game with Worcester because of arm soreness.
Moore, 35, is 71-66 with a 4.39 ERA in 13 MLB seasons with the Tampa Bay Rays, San Francisco Giants, Texas Rangers, Detroit Tigers, Philadelphia Phillies, Los Angeles Angels, Cleveland Guardians and Miami Marlins.
...
Last year with the Angels, Moore went 5-3 with a 5.03 ERA in 51 appearances out of the bullpen.
Moore worked primarily as a starting pitcher from 2012-21. He made the American League All-Star team and collected downballot Cy Young Award votes in 2013, when he went 17-4 with a 3.29 ERA for Tampa Bay.
More news: Red Sox Sign Top Prospect To $60 Million Contract Extension: Reports
Over the last three seasons, Moore had been used exclusively as a reliever. He's pitched for five different organizations in four seasons after not pitching at all during the pandemic-shortened 2020 season.
Moore is two years removed from a strong 2023 campaign in which he went 5-1 with a 2.56 ERA in 50 games with the Angels, Guardians, and Marlins. He struck out 60 batters and walked only 15 in 52.2 innings.
More news: Dodgers' Mookie Betts Explains Reversal on Donald Trump White House Visit
A top-10 prospect in baseball in 2011 and 2012, Moore burst onto the scene by making 31 starts and pitching 177.1 innings as a rookie with Tampa Bay in 2012. He finished 13-11 with a 3.81 ERA (101 ERA+).
The following year, at age 24, Moore made the only All-Star team of his career. He also tossed the only shutout — and only complete game — of his career while finishing second in the American League in winning percentage (.810).
More news: Disgraced Baseball Executive Sent Shocking Lewd Photos to Women: Report
But after struggling with injuries and inconsistency over the next two-plus seasons, the Rays traded Moore in Aug. 2016 to San Francisco in exchange for third baseman Matt Duffy and two minor league prospects.
Boston currently has three left-handers in its bullpen: Aroldis Chapman, Brennan Bernardino and Justin Wilson. While an injury to any one of the three might have opened a door for Moore, he would need to be healthy to get the promotion.
Now, Moore will try to show another team he is healthy enough to continue his career.
For more MLB news, visit Newsweek Sports.
View 0 Comments
Submit Correction
View Editorial & AI Guidelines