The Boston Red Sox are still looking for relievers, and on January 17, the organization announced another depth addition to improve their bullpen.
The Red Sox and southpaw Sean Newcomb have agreed to a minor league contract, according to Chris Cotillo of MassLive. Newcomb, 31, is a former first-round choice who was selected by the Los Angeles Angels in 2014. The lefty is a Brockton, Massachusetts native.
Newcomb has been invited to major league spring training. Along with his signing, Cotillo reported the following non-roster invitees: Austin Adams, Robert Stock, Yovanny Cruz, and Noah Davis.
Newcomb made his Atlanta Braves debut in 2017 and has appeared in the major leagues at least four times per season since then. He has a career 4.51 ERA in 175 games for three different organizations.
Red Sox sign former first-round pick, Brockton native Sean Newcomb to minor league deal
The Braves acquired Newcomb as part of their return from the 2015 Andrelton Simmons trade with the Angels. The lefty spent five and a half seasons with Atlanta, where he was successful as a starter from 2015 to 2019, before being shifted to the bullpen.
Most recently, the former top prospect played for the Athletics. His 2024 season did not go so well; he had a 6.30 ERA, even strikeouts, eight walks, and two home runs allowed in 10 innings. In 2023, Newcomb has a 3.00 ERA with 17 strikeouts and nine walks over 15 innings in the majors.
Newcomb’s greatest season in the major leagues was in 2018, when he had a 3.90 ERA, 160 strikeouts, and 81 walks in 164 innings. He made 30 starts and one relief appearance during his longest season in the majors. He has not thrown more than 32.1 major league innings since 2019.
