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Red Sox roster moves include Alex Bregman’s return, veteran pitcher cut after one outing
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- Red Sox roster moves include Alex Bregman’s return, veteran pitcher cut after one outing
BOSTON — The Red Sox did some roster shuffling before beginning a four-game series with the White Sox on Friday night, announcing the anticipated return of a lineup regular and the news that a former All-Star pitcher has been cut after just one outing.
As expected, Boston reinstated third baseman Alex Bregman from paternity leave and recalled righty Hunter Dobbins , who will make his second career big league start Friday. To clear room, the Sox returned utility man Nick Sogard to Triple-A Worcester and, just says after calling him up, designated veteran right-hander Michael Fulmer for assignment.
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Fulmer, the former 2016 American League Rookie of the Year and a 2017 All-Star for the Tigers, was called up to the majors Sunday after spending more than a year rehabbing his way back from elbow surgery he underwent in the fall of 2023 . The 32-year-old pitched in mop-up duty in relief of Tanner Houck on Monday in Tampa and allowed three runs (all earned) on four hits in 2 ⅔ innings. As an eight-year big league veteran, Fulmer couldn't be optioned to the minors freely, so the Red Sox had to expose him to waivers to clear a roster spot. They chose to DFA him instead of optioning someone like Josh Winckowski or Zack Kelly .
On Friday, manager Alex Cora once again cited Fulmer's ability to eat innings in Monday's blowout loss to the Rays as a reason why the Sox were able to bounce back and win the final two games with a heavy load on the bullpen.
"This is where we're at now with the roster. We have some good players," Cora said. "Like I said, he helped us win that series. It doesn't look that way but he did. Without him, we don't beat the Rays two out of three. Let's see what happens in the next 24 hours. Hopefully, he stays with us, being selfish. But if someone claims him, it would be awesome for him."
Bregman is back after missing Wednesday's game to fly back to Boston as his wife gave birth to the couple's second son, Bennett. Sogard, who appeared in 31 big league games last year, did not appear in Wednesday's 1-0 win over the Rays. He has hit .159 with two doubles and four RBIs in 12 games for the WooSox to start the year.
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Dobbins made his major league debut on April 6 in the second half of a doubleheader sweep over the Cardinals . The 25-year-old allowed two earned runs on eight hits while striking out five batters in five innings and the Sox won, 18-7. Dobbins has struggled a bit at Triple-A to start the year, posting a 10.80 ERA in 6 ⅔ innings over two appearances.
"The stuff is good. It's really good," Cora said. "He threw strikes, he has good velo, he can keep them off balance and we expect the same thing tonight."
Dobbins' stay on the major league roster might not be long as the club will need a roster spot for veteran reliever Liam Hendriks , who could be activated off the injured list as soon as Saturday.
