The Boston Red Sox have promoted left-handed pitcher Jake Bennett from Triple-A Worcester for his first major league appearance when they face the Houston Astros on Friday at home.
This roster adjustment follows Boston’s decision to place star pitcher Garrett Crochet on the 15-day injured list due to left shoulder inflammation earlier this week. Bennett fills the roster opening created when utility player Nate Eaton was sent down to the minors on Thursday.
The 25-year-old Bennett had his scheduled Tuesday start for Worcester canceled in preparation for this call-up.
“Big-time strike thrower,” Boston interim manager Chad Tracy said. “The velocity and the fastball has obviously ticked up. He was coming off an arm injury when he was with Washington. But when he’s sitting there 94 (mph) — another guy kind of like (Payton) Tolle, doesn’t throw as hard, but big guy that really gets down the mound with big extension. So he tends to get in on hitters, too, because the fastball plays up.”
Bennett was selected in the second round of the 2022 draft by the Washington Nationals and has compiled impressive numbers this season, posting a 2-1 record with a 0.86 ERA across five Worcester starts. In 21 innings pitched, he has recorded 16 strikeouts while issuing just three walks.
The Red Sox obtained Bennett in a December trade with Washington, sending pitching prospect Luis Perales in exchange. Bennett sat out the entire 2024 campaign while recovering from Tommy John surgery.
“He’s in the zone a lot,” Tracy said. “Does a good job of holding runners. He can go from a slide step, he can use a leg kick, lands all stuff. But he’s really, really good, at least down there has been, getting the ball in the strike zone. And he gets a lot of weak contact.”
