The Boston Red Sox made a bullpen tweak before kicking off a three-game weekend series against the Chicago White Sox at Fenway Park, which saw the organization swap out its oldest big league roster member to make room for an intriguing prospect.
Boston designated 44-year-old Rich Hill for assignment, just 10 days after the left-hander embarked on career stint No. 4 in a Red Sox uniform. Hill allowed two runs in 3 2/3 innings of relief across four appearances before Boston pulled the plug on the reunion, which opened the door for right-handed prospect Luis Guerrero to join the club after three seasons spent in the organization's farm system.
"It's a dream come true," Guerrero said through translator Carlos Villoria Benítez, per the Boston Herald's Mac Cerullo. "I'm also grateful for the opportunity that this organization has given me to play here for my childhood team."
Guerrero, who was born in the Dominican Republic, grew up in Boston and rooted for the Red Sox before taking his pitching talents to Chipola College in Marianna, Fla. The first stage of Guerrero's childhood dream came to fruition when the Red Sox selected him in the 17th round of the 2021 draft, granting him a chance to climb up the minor league ladder and make an impression and prove his toughness -- Guerrero underwent right knee surgery as a child, which has caused him to walk with a limp due to the hampering of muscle development ever since.
The 24-year-old quickly drew eyes as one of the organization's most intriguing flame-throwing arms, touching 100 mph with his fastball velocity at times. Guerrero recorded a 3.31 ERA and 5-3 record in 42 appearances (54 1/3 innings) pitched for the Triple-A Worcester Red Sox this season. He struck out 79 batters and held opponents to a .198 batting average, earning a thumbs up of approval from Red Sox manager Alex Cora too.
"In this sport, you can be 6-10, 5-7, skinny, big, strong, it doesn't matter, you got a shot," Cora told said pregame. "... Here if you have the willingness to put in the work and the work ethic, you can make it. And he's a big leaguer now. That's awesome."
