The Red Sox aren’t quite done working with a pair of once-coveted pitchers.
Boston did not tender contracts to right-handed pitchers Isaiah Campbell and Bryan Mata for 2025, making them both free agents. But it appears as though they’ll return in a different capacity.
Campbell and Mata are returning on minor league contracts, according to Chris Cotillo of MassLive. Boston will retain depth by keeping both arms in the organization while freeing up a pair of spots on the 40-man roster. Julian McWilliams of The Boston Globe confirmed the news.
Mata, 25, was once among the most highly-touted pitchers in the system, though he failed to make the big leagues despite being a roster member for four seasons due to a multitude of injuries. It’s expected he’ll shift into a bullpen role, where his electric pitch mix should play better than it did as a starter.
Campbell, 27, was acquired from the Seattle Mariners last offseason for infielder Luis Urías, but only pitched 6 2/3 innings with the big club. The Red Sox lost him to a shoulder impingement and elbow inflammation for the majority of the season, leaving his ERA at a putrid 16.20 for the year — a far cry from the 2.83 ERA he posted in 27 appearances as a rookie.
Boston will likely send both to Triple-A Worcester and wait for potential opportunities to bring them up to the big leagues.
