Tag: connor seabold

Red Sox activate Silvino Bracho from taxi squad, option Connor Seabold to Triple-A Worcester

Before taking on the Blue Jays in Toronto on Tuesday night, the Red Sox selected the contract of right-handed reliever Silvino Bracho from Triple-A Worcester. In a corresponding move, fellow right-hander Connor Seabold was optioned to Worcester following Monday’s game.

Bracho will provide the Sox with a fresh bullpen arm for the final two games of their series against the Jays at Rogers Centre. The 29-year-old had been traveling with the club as a member of their taxi squad.

Originally signed to a minor-league contract back in March, Bracho has posted a 3.16 ERA and 2.58 FIP with 36 strikeouts to four walks in 18 appearances (1 start) spanning 31 1/3 innings of work for the WooSox this season. The native Venezuelan spent the first five years (2015-2018, 2020) of his big-league career with the Diamondbacks and pitched to a 4.82 ERA (4.86 FIP) over 89 2/3 innings of relief. He works with a changeup, four-seam fastball, slider, and a seldom-used sinker.

The Red Sox did not need to create room on their 40-man roster for Bracho since Tanner Houck and Jarren Duran are on the restricted list due to their unvaccinated status. They will, however, need to expose Bracho to waivers if they intend on removing him from the 40-man roster at the conclusion of this series.

Seabold, meanwhile, made the second start of his big-league career in place of the injured Garrett Whitlock on Monday. The 26-year-old allowed seven earned runs on nine hits, one walk, one hit batsman, and seven strikeouts over 4 2/3 innings in Boston’s 7-2 loss to Toronto.

Currently regarded by Baseball America as the No. 22 prospect in the Sox’ farm system, Seabold owns a 2.09 ERA with 51 strikeouts to 14 walks in 11 starts (51 2/3 innings pitched) for the WooSox this season.

(Picture of Silvino Bracho: Brace Hemmelgarn/Getty Images)

Connor Seabold gets hit hard as Red Sox see 7-game winning streak come to an end in 7-2 loss to Blue Jays

The Red Sox saw their seven-game winning streak come to an end against the Blue Jays on Monday night. Boston went down quietly in a 7-2 loss to Toronto to fall to 42-32 on the season.

With Garrett Whitlock still on the injured list, the Sox recalled Connor Seabold from Triple-A Worcester to make the second start of his major-league career in Monday’s series opener.

Seabold, who last pitched an inning for the WooSox on Friday, had a tough go of things in his first outing north of the border. The right-hander got rocked for seven earned runs on nine hits, one walk, and one hit batsman to go along with seven strikeouts over 4 2/3 innings of work.

After issuing a leadoff walk to the very first batter he faced in George Springer, Seabold gave up an RBI double to Bo Bichette. He then stranded Bichette at third base and retired the side in order in the second, making it seem as though he was about to settle in.

That was not the case, however, as Seabold served up a 422-foot solo shot to Springer and a 414-foot two-run blast to Vladimir Guerrero Jr. in the bottom of the third. On the heels of a scoreless fourth inning, he put runners at first and third with one out in the fifth. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. drove in one of those runners on an RBI groundout, then Matt Chapman plated two more on a 362-foot two-run homer to left field.

Chapman would prove to be the last Blue Jay Seabold would face. The 26-year-old was given the hook after throwing 86 pitches (54 strikes). While the results were not all that positive, he did induce 21 total swings-and-misses with his four-seam fastball, changeup, and slider. The 21 whiffs are the most recorded by a Red Sox pitcher in a game this season.

In relief of Seabold, Tyler Danish received the first call out of the Boston bullpen from manager Alex Cora. Danish, making his first appearance in six days, retired the only batter he faced to end the fifth inning. From there, Austin Davis and Hirokazu Sawamura each worked a pair of scoreless frames in the sixth and seventh while Hansel Robles did the same in the eighth.

To that point in the contest, the Jarren Duran-less Red Sox lineup had been thoroughly held in check by Blue Jays starter Kevin Gausman. It took until the third inning for Boston to get its first hit off Gausman. That happened when Bobby Dalbec reached base via a two-out single. Dalbec then stole second base, but was left there after Rafael Devers grounded out to extinguish the threat.

In the sixth, Devers laced a 90 mph double that deflected off the second-base bag and put a runner in scoring position with one out. Xander Bogaerts then drew a two-out walk, but Alex Verdugo followed by flying out to Springer in center field.

Christian Vazquez made it up to second base with two outs in the seventh. Gausman did not allow him to advance any further than that by fanning the last batter he faced in Dalbec. In three starts against the Red Sox this year, Gausman has allowed one two runs (one earned) over 21 innings. That is good for an ERA of 0.43.

David Phelps kept Toronto’s hopes of a shutout alive in the eighth, but former Red Sox pitching prospect Shaun Anderson did just the opposite in the ninth. Anderson, who was pitching against the team that drafted him for just the second time in his big-league career, made things a bit interesting.

Back-to-back singles from Bogaerts and Verdugo to lead off the inning put runners on the corners for Trevor Story, who scored his side’s first run on a sacrifice fly.

Verdugo moved up to third on a Vazquez single and scored from there on a Dalbec RBI single that deflected off Anderson. Rob Refsnyder then wrapped up a hitless night by flying out to center field to end the game.

All told, the Red Sox went 1-for-7 with runners in scoring position on Monday and left eight runners on base as a team. They are now 2-6 against the Blue Jays so far this season.

Next up: Wacha vs. Stripling

The Red Sox will look to bounce back and keep their hopes of a series win alive in the middle game of this three-game set with the Blue Jays on Tuesday night. Michael Wacha will get the start for Boston while fellow right-hander Ross Stripling will do the same for Toronto.

First pitch from Rogers Centre is scheduled for 7:07 p.m. eastern time on NESN.

(Picture of Connor Seabold: Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)

Silvino Bracho with Red Sox as member of team’s taxi squad

Silvino Bracho has joined the Red Sox on their taxi squad in Toronto. There is a chance the right-handed reliever could be activated for the final two games of Boston’s series against the Blue Jays if Connor Seabold is optioned to Triple-A Worcester following Monday’s game at Rogers Centre.

The Sox originally signed Bracho to a minor-league contract back in March after the 29-year-old spent the entirety of the 2021 campaign in the Giants organization.

In 18 appearances (1 start) with the WooSox this season, Bracho has posted a 3.16 ERA and 2.58 FIP with 36 strikeouts to four walks over 31 1/3 innings of work.

Bracho, who turns 30 next month, broke in with the Diamondbacks in 2015 after signing with Arizona as an international free-agent out of Venezuela in 2011. The Maracaibo native pitched to a 4.67 ERA in his first four big-league seasons before undergoing Tommy John surgery in March 2019.

After making just one appearance for the D-backs in 2020, Bracho became a free-agent and pitched exclusively at the Triple-A level in 2021 while with the Giants.

That being said, it has now been nearly two full years since Bracho appeared in a major-league game. Per Baseball Savant, the 5-foot-10, 190-pound righty works with a three-pitch mix that consists of a changeup, four-seam fastball, and slider. He has also used a sinker in the past.

If Bracho is indeed activated and gets into a game against the Jays this week, he would become the 19th different pitcher the Red Sox have used this season. At the conclusion of this series, however, Boston would have to designate Bracho for assignment — and thus expose him to waivers — if it wanted to remove him from the 26-man roster since he is out of minor-league options.

(Picture of Silvino Bracho: Brace Hemmelgarn/Getty Images)

Red Sox place Tanner Houck, Jarren Duran on restricted list, call up Connor Seabold, Yolmer Sánchez from Triple-A Worcester

Before opening a three-game series against the Blue Jays in Toronto on Monday, the Red Sox placed closer Tanner Houck and outfielder Jarren Duran on the restricted list.

To take their place on the major-league roster, right-hander Connor Seabold and infielder Yolmer Sanchez were called up from Triple-A Worcester, the team announced.

Neither Houck or Duran are vaccinated against COVID-19 and therefore cannot travel to Canada. They will not receive pay or service time for the next three days and will instead work out at Fenway Park before rejoining the Red Sox in Chicago later this week.

Seabold, meanwhile, will make the second start of his big-league career at Rogers Centre on Monday night while filling in for the injured Garrett Whitlock. The 26-year-old made his major-league debut in a spot start against the White Sox last September and allowed two runs in three innings at Guaranteed Rate Field.

In 11 starts for the WooSox this season, Seabold has posted a 2.09 ERA and 2.99 FIP with 51 strikeouts to 14 walks over 51 2/3 innings of work. The 6-foot-3, 200-pound hurler works with a fastball, slider, changeup, and curveball and is currently regarded by Baseball America as the No. 10 pitching prospect in Boston’s farm system.

Unlike Seabold, Sanchez is not on Boston’s 40-man roster. That said, the Red Sox will be able to return the 29-year-old to Worcester without having to expose him to waivers following the conclusion of their series in Toronto.

Sanchez, who actually turns 30 on Wednesday, originally signed a minor-league deal with Boston back in February. The Venezuela native spent the first seven years of his major-league career with the White Sox and won the American League Gold Glove Award for second baseman in 2019.

In 68 games (265 plate appearances) with the WooSox this season, the switch-hitting Sanchez has batted .253/.381/.424 (120 wRC+) with 11 doubles, one triple, eight home runs, 29 RBIs, 32 runs scored, four stolen bases, 44 walks, and 60 strikeouts while seeing playing time at every infield position besides first base.

On Sunday, manager Alex Cora said that Sanchez will likely make his first start for the Red Sox at second base on Wednesday so that Trevor Story can get off his feet for two days as Boston is off on Thursday.

(Picture of Connor Seabold: Justin Casterline/Getty Images)

Connor Seabold will start for Red Sox in Monday’s series opener against Blue Jays

In addition to Yolmer Sanchez, the Red Sox will also be calling up right-hander Connor Seabold from Triple-A Worcester ahead of Monday’s series opener against the Blue Jays in Toronto, according to manager Alex Cora.

Seabold, who joined the Red Sox in Cleveland as a member of their taxi squad, will make the second start of his major-league career opposite Blue Jays hurler Kevin Gausman at Rogers Centre on Monday night.

While Sanchez is expected to take the place of outfielder Jarren Duran on Boston’s roster, it’s likely that Seabold will take the place of fellow right-hander Tanner Houck, who will also be placed on the restricted list since he, too, is not vaccinated against COVID-19 and therefore cannot travel to Canada.

The Red Sox originally hoped that Garrett Whitlock (right hip inflammation) would be able to return from the 15-day injured list in time to start on Monday. That is no longer the case as that responsibility will now fall to a rookie in Seabold.

In 11 starts for the WooSox this season, the 26-year-old has posted a 2.09 ERA and 2.99 FIP with 51 strikeouts to 14 walks over 51 2/3 innings of work. He was limited to just one inning in his most-recent outing at Polar Park on Friday so that he would be ready to go in case the Red Sox needed him.

Originally acquired from the Phillies with Nick Pivetta in exchange for relievers Brandon Workman and Heath Hembree in August 2020, Seabold is currently regarded by Baseball America as the No. 21 prospect in Boston’s farm system, which ranks 10th among pitchers in the organization.

Last September, Seabold made big-league debut against the White Sox under somewhat similar COVID-related circumstances. The California-born righty allowed two runs in three innings at Guaranted Rate Field on Sept. 11 and was optioned back down to Worcester the following day.

Since he pitched in the Arizona Fall League last year, it is already known that Seabold is vaccinated against COVID-19. The 6-foot-3, 200 pounder is already on Boston’s 40-man roster as well. On the mound, he works with a four-pitch mix that consists of a mid-90s fastball, a mid-80s slider, a low-80s changeup, and a mid-70s curveball.

Seabold will become the 10th (9th if you exclude Austin Davis) different pitcher to start a game for the Red Sox this season. He will be followed by Michael Wacha on Tuesday and Nick Pivetta on Wednesday.

(Picture of Connor Seabold: Justin Casterline/Getty Images)

Red Sox pitching prospect Connor Seabold joins team in Cleveland, is likely to make 2022 debut in Toronto on Monday

Red Sox pitching prospect Connor Seabold has joined the team in Cleveland as a member of their taxi squad.

While Rich Hill will start Sunday’s series finale against the Guardians, the expectation is that Seabold will either start or pitch after an opener in Monday’s series opener against the Blue Jays in Toronto, per The Boston Globe’s Pete Abraham.

Seabold was limited to just one inning for this very reason in his latest start for Triple-A Worcester on Friday night at Polar Park. The right-hander allowed one run on two hits and now owns a 2.09 ERA with 51 strikeouts to 14 walks in 11 outings (51 2/3 innings) with the WooSox this season.

Originally acquired from the Phillies with fellow righty Nick Pivetta in exchange for relievers Brandon Workman and Heath Hembree in August 2020, Seabold is currently regarded by Baseball America as the No. 21 prospect in the Sox’ farm system, which ranks 10th among pitchers in the organization.

Boston finds itself in need of starting pitchers for its upcoming series at Rogers Centre as Nathan Eovaldi (low back inflammation) and Garrett Whitlock (right hip inflammation) remain out on the 15-day injured list.

Tanner Houck would seemingly be an option to fill in against the Jays, but he is not eligible to pitch in Toronto since he is not vaccinated against COVID-19. Houck, as well as outfielder Jarren Duran, will therefore be placed on the restricted list.

Seabold, who is vaccinated, made his major-league debut against the White Sox under somewhat circumstances last September while filling in for the COVID-stricken Pivetta. The then-25-year-old yielded two runs in three innings at Guaranteed Rate Field on Sept. 11 and was optioned back down to Worcester the following day.

Now 26, Seabold is looing forward to the challenges his second big-league outing — and first north of the border — will present.

“I’m stoked,” Seabold told NESN’s Jahmai Webster at Progressive Field on Saturday. “I mean, getting another opportunity to come back up and prove what I can do, that’s what you look for.”

Equipped with a four-seam fastball, slider, changeup, and curveball, Seabold is already a member of Boston’s 40-man roster. So, in theory, the Red Sox could add the California-born hurler to their major-league roster on Monday when Houck goes on the restricted list.

(Picture of Connor Seabold: Justin Casterline/Getty Images)

Connor Seabold limited to 1 inning in latest start for Triple-A Worcester in case Red Sox need a starter for upcoming series in Toronto

Red Sox pitching prospect Connor Seabold went just one inning in his 11th start of the season for Triple-A Worcester on Friday night. The right-hander allowed one run on two hits, no walks, and two strikeouts.

Matched up against the Charlotte Knights at Polar Park, Seabold served up a first-pitch home run to the very first batter of the game in Mark Payton. He then struck out Yolbert Sanchez and Blake Rutherford in consecutive order before giving up a two-out single to Xavier Fernandez. Micker Adolfo ended the inning by grounding out to third base.

Finishing with a final pitch count of 21 (16 strikes), Seabold was relieved by fellow righty Taylor Cole in the second inning. Following Worcester’s 10-2 win over Charlotte, WooSox manager Chad Tracy explained to reporters (including MassLive.com’s Katie Morrison) that Seabold’s early departure was not injury- or performance-related.

“I just was told that he’s an option and they might need a starter and I was just told to limit him to one inning,” Tracy said. “So for now, that’s what we know. So we’ll see what happens.

As things stand right now, the Red Sox find themselves in need of a starter for Monday’s series opener against the Blue Jays in Toronto. There was hope that Garrett Whitlock would be activated from the 15-day injured list in time to start that game, but the righty is still dealing with continued soreness in his right hip and is unlikely to pitch during the team’s road trip.

This is where someone like Seabold — who is on the 40-man roster comes into play. Since he only pitched one inning on Friday night, the 26-year-old would still be able to provide Boston with some length on Monday. He is also vaccinated against COVID-19, as that was a prerequisite for all minor-leaguers who played in the Arizona Fall League last year.

Originally acquired from the Phillies along with Nick Pivetta in August 2020, Seabold is currently regarded by Baseball America as the No. 10 pitching prospect in Boston’s farm system.

In his 11 starts with the WooSox this year, the California-born hurler has posted a 2.09 ERA and 0.99 WHIP to go along with 51 strikeouts to 14 walks over 51 2/3 innings of work. He is also holding opposing hitters to a .197/.262/.277 slash line against.

Under somewhat similar circumstances last season, Seabold made his major-league debut against the White Sox while starting in place of Pivetta at Guaranteed Rate Field on September 11. He allowed two runs over three innings in that outing and was optioned to Worcester the following day.

If Seabold does get the starting nod on Monday, he could replace another pitcher on the major-league roster like Tanner Houck, who will be placed on the restricted list since he remains unvaccinated against COVID-19.

As Tracy said, though, it’s more of a wait-and-see situation at the moment.

(Picture of Connor Seabold: Justin Casterline/Getty Images)

Red Sox pitching prospect Connor Seabold resumes throwing off mound after suffering pectoral strain last month

Red Sox pitching prospect Connor Seabold could soon be nearing a return to action. After suffering a pectoral strain last month, the right-hander has resumed throwing off a mound, according to The Boston Globe’s Alex Speier.

Seabold, 26, was scratched from his start with the WooSox on May 20 and was later diagnosed with a pectoral strain. He was placed on the 7-day injured list because of it two days later and was shut down for a brief period.

Prior to suffering the injury, Seabold was putting together an impressive season for Worcester. In his first seven starts of the year, the righty posted a 2.45 ERA and 2.86 FIP to go along with 37 strikeouts to 10 walks over 36 2/3 innings of work.

Among International League pitchers with at least 30 innings under their belt this season, Seabold ranks 15th in strikeout rate (25.2%), 21st in swinging strike rate (12.5%), 15th in walk rate (6.8%), sixth in batting average against (.179), fourth in WHIP (0.93), eighth in ERA, and third in FIP, per FanGraphs.

Originally acquired from the Phillies in August 2020, Seabold is currently regarded by Baseball America as the No. 21 prospect in the Red Sox’ farm system, which ranks 10th among pitchers in the organization.

The 6-foot-3, 200 pound hurler is already on Boston’s 40-man roster and made his major-league debut against the White Sox last September. With that, he could be called upon again to help the big-league club later this season as a spot starter or perhaps even as a reliever.

(Picture of Connor Seabold: Katie Morrison/MassLive)

Red Sox place Triston Casas, Connor Seabold on Triple-A Worcester’s injured list

The Triple-A Worcester Red Sox have placed first baseman Triston Casas and right-hander Connor Seabold on the 7-day injured list. Casas was placed on the IL because of a sprained right ankle while Seabold was placed on the IL because of a pectoral strain.

Since both Casas and Seabold’s stints on the injured list are retroactive to Sunday, the two will be eligible to return to action as soon as this weekend when the WooSox wrap up their series against the Lehigh Valley IronPigs in Allentown, Pa.

Casas sustained his ankle injury at Polar Park on May 17 and has been sidelined since then. According to The Boston Globe’s Alex Speier, the 22-year-old “is making progress but the Red Sox do not want to rush him back.” He did, however, travel with the WooSox to Lehigh Valley.

In 36 games with the WooSox this season, Casas is slashing .248/.359/.457 with nine doubles, six home runs, 22 RBIs, 22 runs scored, 23 walks, and 35 strikeouts across 156 trips to the plate. The left-handed hitter is currently regarded by Baseball America as the No. 2 prospect in Boston’s farm system behind only Marcelo Mayer.

Seabold, on the other hand, was diagnosed with a pectoral strain after being scratched from his start with the WooSox last Friday. The 26-year-old righty has not pitched competitively since May 15, striking out 11 and allowing just one hit and one walk over six scoreless innings against the Rochester Red Wings.

On the 2022 campaign as a whole, Seabold has posted a 2.45 ERA and 2.89 FIP to go along with 37 strikeouts to 10 walk over seven starts (36 2/3 innings pitched) for Worcester. He has been shut down for the time being and will miss at least one more start while resting his injury, per Speier.

Seabold, who is on the Red Sox’ 40-man roster, is regarded by Baseball America as the No. 21 prospect in Boston’s farm system, which ranks 10th among pitchers in the organization. He made his major-league debut last September and, when healthy, is one of the club’s top depth starters alongside Kutter Crawford and Josh Winckowski.

(Picture of Triston Casas: John Tlumacki/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)

Red Sox pitching prospect Connor Seabold scratched from start with Triple-A Worcester due to pectoral strain

Red Sox pitching prospect Connor Seabold was slated to make his eighth start of the season for Triple-A Worcester at Polar Park on Friday night. The right-hander has instead been scratched from his outing due to a pectoral strain, manager Alex Cora told reporters (including The Boston Globe’s Alex Speier) earlier Friday evening.

Seabold is currently regarded by Baseball America as the 10th-ranked pitching prospect in Boston’s farm system and has impressed early on with the WooSox this season. Over seven starts, the 26-year-old has posted a 2.45 ERA and 2.86 FIP with 37 strikeouts to 10 walks over 36 2/3 innings of work.

Among qualified International League pitchers, Seabold ranks 12th in strikeout rate (25.2%), 11th in walk rate (6.8%), 11th in swinging strike rate (12.5%), fourth in batting average against (.179), third in WHIP (0.93), sixth in ERA, third in FIP, and 22nd in xFIP (4.38), per FanGraphs.

Given that he made his major-league debut last September and is already on the Sox’ 40-man roster, Seabold — as noted by MassLive.com’s Christopher Smith — is one of Boston’s top depth starters at the Triple-A level alongside Kutter Crawford, Josh Winckowski, and Brayan Bello.

Cora relayed that the Red Sox do not believe Seabold’s injury to be serious, but it is unclear how long the righty will be sidelined for. In the meantime, left-hander Thomas Pannone will start in place of Seabold for the WooSox on Friday.

Should Boston need a starting pitcher to come up from the minors in the coming days or weeks, that responsibility will likely fall to Crawford or maybe even Winckowski.

(Picture of Connor Seabold: Katie Morrison/MassLive)