The Red Sox announced the signing of lefty reliever Danny Coulombe to a one-year deal. Boston placed utilityman Romy Gonzalez on the 60-day injured list in a corresponding move. Coulombe, a client of ALIGND Sports Agency, is reportedly guaranteed $1MM.
Coulombe lands a big league contract for his age-36 season. The southpaw is coming off an excellent 2.30 earned run average across 43 innings between the Twins and Rangers. Coulombe punched out an above-average 24.4% of batters faced behind an excellent 13.1% swinging strike rate.
It was the third consecutive sub-3.00 ERA showing for the veteran reliever. Coulombe’s age and lack of velocity have nevertheless limited him to a series of modest one-year contracts. With a fastball that checks in around 90 mph, Coulombe leans most heavily on a mid-80s cutter. It’s a relatively platoon neutral profile, though he was more aggressive in attacking the strike zone against left-handed hitters.
Assuming he’s able to ramp into game shape within the next two weeks, Coulombe will slot into Alex Cora’s middle relief group. Boston was light on left-handed bullpen help in front of Aroldis Chapman. The out-of-options Jovani Morán and trade pickup Tyler Samaniego, who has yet to make his MLB debut, are the other lefty relievers on the 40-man roster. Coulombe should raise the floor over the less established southpaws.
Boston still has up to three bullpen spots for grabs. Morán’s lack of options could give him a leg up on one of those. Rule 5 pick Ryan Watson can’t be optioned but seems a longer shot to break camp after giving up six runs in as many innings this spring.
Gonzalez will be out at least until late May. The Sox announced that the righty-hitting utilityman underwent an arthroscopic debridement procedure on his left shoulder. Chris Cotillo of MassLive reports that it’s a cleanup surgery that could come with a 2-3 month recovery timeline. Gonzalez should be back midseason to reprise his role as a short side platoon bat.
Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic first reported Coulombe and the Red Sox had a major league deal. Chris Cotillo of MassLive reported the $1MM salary.
Image courtesy of Jerome Miron, Imagn Images.
