The Boston Red Sox made a notable roster move this week, calling up promising relief pitcher Luis Guerrero from Triple-A Worcester.
This shift comes in the wake of a demanding outing by Josh Winckowski, who was used heavily in a tough 6-2 loss against the Seattle Mariners.
Winckowski endured a grueling 47-pitch seventh inning, surrendering a pair of runs but ultimately staying in to preserve the rest of the bullpen.
His efforts, while commendable, led the Red Sox to temporarily send him down to Worcester in favor of a fresh arm.
Enter Guerrero, a fireballing reliever who impressed in his limited major league action last season.
The young right-hander didn’t allow a single run in 10 innings during his debut campaign, striking out nine and demonstrating an impressive ability to generate swings and misses.
However, spring training this year told a different story.
Guerrero struggled with consistency, posting a 9.53 ERA over just under six innings, which led to an early exit from camp.
Still, the Red Sox believe in his potential and are hopeful he can rediscover the sharp form he showed last season now that he’s back on the big league stage.
Guerrero’s time in Worcester this year has been a mixed bag. Over 10.1 innings, he’s posted a 5.23 ERA, recording seven strikeouts and issuing five walks.
The numbers aren’t dominant, but the Red Sox are betting on his upside and the elite arsenal he’s already flashed at the highest level.
With the bullpen needing reinforcements and the season grinding forward, Guerrero’s return could prove pivotal if he settles back into rhythm.
In other welcome news for Boston, catcher Connor Wong appears to be closing in on a return to action.
Wong suffered a fractured finger after taking a backswing from George Springer on April 7 and was placed on the injured list shortly afterward. Fortunately, the fracture was described by manager Alex Cora as a “best-case scenario,” and signs point to a relatively swift recovery. Wong has been catching bullpen sessions and taking batting practice as part of his ramp-up. The team expects him to begin a rehab assignment on Sunday, April 27.
Wong’s return could have a ripple effect on Boston’s catching depth. Carlos Narváez, who’s been handling the bulk of the duties in Wong’s absence, could finally get a breather. Meanwhile, Blake Sabol may find himself heading back to Worcester, especially with veteran Yasmani Grandal also in the mix. Grandal, signed after Wong’s injury, has an opt-out clause in his contract coming up on May 1, meaning the team will soon need to make a decision about his place on the roster.
The Red Sox are hopeful that Wong can bring a spark to the lineup upon his return. He was one of the team’s most consistent hitters last year, finishing with a .280 average and showing steady power and plate discipline. Though he’s struggled early in 2025, batting just .087 in nine games, his defensive contributions were trending in the right direction before the injury. As he eyes a return to Fenway, the Red Sox will be looking for both stability behind the plate and a jolt to their offensive rhythm