Three days after getting 2024 Rule 5 Draft pick Angel Bastardo back from the Blue Jays, the Red Sox got 2025 Rule 5 Draft pick Jedixson Paez back from the White Sox on Saturday.
Unlike Bastardo with the Blue Jays, Paez made the White Sox’ Opening Day roster out of spring training last month despite allowing eight earned runs in 11 1/3 Cactus League innings. As a member of Chicago’s bullpen to open the 2026 season, however, the 22-year-old right-hander surrendered six earned runs on four hits (two of which were homers), three walks, and no strikeouts in his first three big league outings (three innings) before being designated for assignment on Wednesday.
Upon clearing waivers, Paez was offered back to the Red Sox for $50,000 and was officially returned by the White Sox on Saturday. He does not need to be added to Boston’s 40-man roster and is expected to join Double-A Portland, likely as a member of the Sea Dogs’ starting rotation, in the coming days.
That Paez struggled in his first taste of big league action is not necessarily surprising considering his lack of upper-minors experience. Before being selected with the second overall pick in December’s Rule 5 Draft and making his major league debut in Milwaukee on March 26, the young righty had never pitched above the High-A level. That presumably played a role in the Red Sox’ decision to leave him off the 40-man roster after last season ended.
Even with that in mind, the White Sox took a chance on a high-upside arm by paying the Red Sox $100,000 for Paez’s services. It evidently did not work out, as Chicago was unable to keep Paez on its active roster for at least 90 days. As such, Paez is back with the organization he originally signed with for $450,000 as an international free agent in July 2021.
A native of Venezuela, Paez was Boston’s 2021 Latin Program Pitcher of the Year following a strong professional debut in the Dominican Summer League. He spent all of 2022 in the Florida Complex League and parts of the next two seasons with Low-A Salem before first reaching High-A Greenville in May 2024.
Paez returned to Greenville for the start of the 2025 campaign but was sidelined for more than three months (late April until mid-August) due to a severe right calf strain. When on the mound for the Drive, the 6-foot-1 hurler posted a 2.79 ERA with 23 strikeouts to just three walks over seven starts (19 1/3 innings) in which opponents batted .228 against him. He was ranked by Baseball America as Boston’s No. 21 prospect before briefly taking his talents to Chicago.
Lauded for his advanced feel of command and control, as evidenced by a career 3.9 walk rate in 307 2/3 minor league innings, Paez featured a five-pitch mix in his first big league stint. He averaged 91.9 mph and reached 93.4 mph with his four-seam fastball while also mixing in a changeup, cutter, sinker, and curveball, per Baseball Savant.
Like Bastardo, Paez — who does not turn 23 until next January — figures to strengthen Boston’s upper-minors pitching depth moving forward.
(Picture of Jedixson Paez: Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
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