On Sunday, February 23rd the Boston Red Sox  claimed right-handed pitcher Phillips Valdez off waivers from the Seattle Mariners. To make room on the 40-man roster, the Red Sox placed second baseman Dustin Pedroia on the 60-day injured list.

Seattle Mariners Photo Day
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Valdez is 28 years old and saw the first action of his major league career with the Texas Rangers last season and posted a 3.94 ERA (7 ER/16.0 IP) with 9 walks and 18 strikeouts over 11 appearances, all in relief. The right-hander made his big league debut with 2.0 scoreless innings on June 8 against the Oakland A’s and posted a 1.35 ERA over his first five games. Following the season, in November, Valdez was claimed off waivers by Seattle from Texas.

Over his professional career, he has posted a 38-34 record with 11 saves, a 3.76 ERA (290 ER/694.0 IP), 279 walks, and 535 strikeouts in 226 games (96 starts) between stops in the Indians (2009-10), Washington Nationals (2012-18), Rangers (2019), and Mariners minor league systems. Valdez was signed by the Tampa Bay Rays as a minor league free agent in December of 2010, but did not appear in a game during the 2011 season before being released in May.

Pedroia, 36, began the 2019 season on the 10-day injured list with left knee inflammation. He appeared in 3 rehab games with Single-A Greenville before being reinstated on April 9, making 2 starts with Boston at second base and 2 as a designated hitter. Pedroia returned to the 10-day injured list on April 19 (retroactive to April 18) with left knee irritation and played in 11 rehab games between Double-A Portland and Triple-A Pawtucket in May. He was transferred to the 60-day injured list on May 27 and missed the remainder of the season.

You can hear Spring Training games on AM 1370 WDEA. The Red Sox regular season begins on March 26th. Hear every game on AM 1370 WDEA and 101.9 The Rock in Aroostook County.

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