yardbarker
The Boston Red Sox have agreed to a minor league deal with right-handed reliever Angel Bastardo, according to a report from Francys Romero. The contract also comes with an invitation to the team's major league spring training camp. Had the two sides not reached an agreement, Bastardo would have become eligible for minor league free agency the following week.
Bastardo, a 24-year-old native of Venezuela, has been in affiliated professional baseball since 2018. He originally signed for a modest $35,000 bonus and gradually worked his way into the upper tier of Boston's farm system, eventually earning recognition as a borderline top-30 prospect. However, his development trajectory was interrupted when he underwent Tommy John surgery in 2024. As a result, the Red Sox opted not to protect him on the 40-man roster ahead of the Rule 5 draft.
Rule 5 detour and return to Boston
The Toronto Blue Jays selected Bastardo in the Rule 5 draft and kept him on the injured list for the entire 2025 season. Toronto carried him on its 40-man roster into spring training, where he and fellow Rule 5 pick Spencer Miles competed for spots in the bullpen. Ultimately, the Blue Jays—hoping to contend that year—were not inclined to carry two Rule 5 selections, and Miles outperformed Bastardo in camp. Consequently, Toronto returned Bastardo to the Red Sox, who assigned him to Triple-A Worcester.
With the WooSox, Bastardo made 40 appearances and logged 54 1/3 innings, posting a 4.64 ERA. He demonstrated strong strikeout ability, fanning 32% of opposing hitters, but his walk rate ballooned to an untenable 14.3%. His fastball averaged 96.2 mph, and he relied on a changeup as his primary secondary offering, mixing in a slider and curveball on occasion.
Looking ahead
Bastardo will now set his sights on earning a spot in Chad Tracy's relief corps next spring. The minor league deal provides him with an opportunity to compete for a bullpen role while aiming to refine his control and build on his strikeout prowess.
Originally reported by yardbarker.