Derek

Holland

Holland signed a minor league contract with the Blue Jays back in early May and hasn’t made an appearance in the majors this season. The 35-year-old veteran left-hander has made 346 appearances (228 starts) in the majors since 2009. He’s compiled a bloated 5.77 ERA, 1.49 WHIP and 38/20 K/BB ratio across 39 innings (30 appearances, six starts) this season at the Triple-A level. There’s still a possibility he managed to land another minor league contract as organizational pitching depth.

Holland was just granted his released from the Red Sox on Monday and has already found a new home. The 35-year-old left-hander had struggled to a 6.35 ERA through 11 1/3 innings of relief this season at Triple-A Worcester. He’ll function mostly as minor league depth for Toronto.

Holland failed to land a spot on the Red Sox’ season-opening roster and has been cut loose after allowing nine runs (eight earned) on eight hits with a 13/7 K/BB ratio across 11 1/3 innings (10 appearances) at Triple-A Worcester this season. The 35-year-old veteran lefty should be able to latch on somewhere else on another minor league deal.

Hernandez is the only one among the group that comes as a bit of a surprise, as he was expected to crack the Opening Day bullpen in a multi-inning reliever role -- perhaps even piggybacking Rich Hill or Garrett Whitlock to begin the season. There’s no doubt that he’ll see time with the big league club during the 2022 campaign.

The Red Sox are waiting on his decision, to see if he’ll opt out and look for work elsewhere, or report to Triple-A Worcester to begin the minor league season. The veteran southpaw appeared in just one Grapefruit League contest, striking out a pair over two shutout innings.

Holland is getting a late start after signing a minor league deal on March 18, but he might still make the Red Sox as one of their extra relievers. It could come down to how many 40-man roster spots the team is willing to open up, considering there are also a couple of non-roster players gunning for bench gigs.

Holland essentially tweeted out the news himself and it’s been confirmed by various outlets. He’ll provide left-handed relief depth.

Holland was brought on to guard a one-run lead, after the Tigers plated four runs in the top of the frame to complete a remarkable comeback, and wound up surrendering a game-tying solo shot to Ben Rortvedt, which sent the high-scoring slugfest into extra innings. He remained in the contest and eventually coughed up a three-run, walk-off homer to Jorge Polanco in the 10th inning to take a loss.

Holland will provide the Tigers with some long relief depth out of the bullpen until the team needs rookie Matt Manning to make another start after the All-Star break. The 34-year-old left-hander has been sidelined since early-June due to left shoulder inflammation.

Holland missed a little under three weeks in May because of a left shoulder strain and obviously isn’t quite over the hump with it. He leaves behind a rough 9.60 ERA in 15 innings of work this season for Detroit.