BOSTON, MA – JUNE 9: Drew Pomeranz #31 of the Boston Red Sox looks on during the seventh inning of a game against the Chicago White Sox on June 9, 2018 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images)
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The Boston Red Sox have plenty of concerns to address on their current roster as the team struggles to improve on a last-place standing in the American League East division.
But for fans who might be eager to reflect on better times, including the team’s 2018 World Series championship run, a familiar face has now met his own disappointing turn with a new team.
Boston Red Sox World Series Champion Cut From New Team’s Roster After Regression
Last year, veteran left-hander and former Red Sox All-Star Drew Pomeranz authored one of baseball’s most unlikely comeback stories. After years of injuries and uncertainty, the reliever re-established himself as a productive bullpen arm and earned another major-league opportunity with the Chicago Cubs.
That opportunity turned into a $4 million contract with the Los Angeles Angels, but it now seems to have come to an end.
“The Angels announced that they have selected the contract of right-hander Brett Kerry and recalled right-hander Jose Fermín from Triple-A Salt Lake,” Darragh McDonald reported for MLB Trade Rumors. “In corresponding moves, they have placed right-hander Grayson Rodriguez on the 15-day injured list with low back inflammation and designated left-hander Drew Pomeranz for assignment.”
Latest Turn For Boston Red Sox World Series Champion Marks Harsh Turn
Pomeranz, now 37, earned an All-Star selection in 2016, a season in which he joined the Red Sox from the San Diego Padres. Across three seasons with Boston, he maintained a 4.24 ERA and made six starts, with 311 strikeouts in a little more than 316 innings.
But after leading Boston, he struggled to stay healthy and it seemed his career might be over before he enjoyed a resurgence with the Cubs last year.
The Angels’ contract for this year indicated they believed that resurgence could continue, but it seems Pomeranz has been the victim of a stark regression.
“He had a great comeback with the Cubs last year, posting a 2.17 earned run average in 49 2/3 innings, striking out 28.1% of opponents while only giving out walks at a 7.4% pace,” McDonald added. “The Halos gave Pomeranz a $4MM deal for 2026, betting that he could keep it rolling. They have lost that bet.”
Now the Angels have opted to remove Pomeranz from the roster in a bid to give some more promising arms a chance to contribute.
“It’s one of those things where we just felt like (Fermin) is the better option, but Drew’s been the ultimate professional with us,” Angels manager Kurt Suzuki said of the decision, according to MLB.com’s Rhett Bollinger. “Great for the younger guys in the bullpen. It was just the time.”
That praise reflects the reputation Pomeranz has maintained throughout his lengthy career. Even as his on-field production declined, he has remained a respected veteran presence.