Jedixson Paez lit up by Mariners in first start

The 22-year-old right-hander delivered an excellent performance to notch his first MLB victory on Friday, firing five scoreless innings of relief against the Cubs. He wasn’t going to be available out of the bullpen on Sunday though, so the Red Sox opted to swap him out for a fresh arm.

The 22-year-old Paez had given up 14 runs in 6 2/3 innings as a major leaguer before blanking the Cubs today. In spite of his success, he still might be exchanged for a fresh arm prior to Sunday’s finale.

Paez will give the Red Sox another bullpen arm that’s capable of working multiple innings for the second half of Friday’s doubleheader against the Cubs. The 22-year-old has been crushed to the tune of an 18.90 ERA and 2.85 WHIP over 6 2/3 innings in four appearances with the Red Sox this season.

It was a rough first MLB start for Paez on Tuesday, allowing eight runs in 3 2/3 innings against the Mariners. He did throw 63 percent of his pitches for strikes, including 86 percent on his curve, and his changeup posted a 17 percent swinging strike rate against lefties, but his fastball locations were not good, and he simply doesn’t throw hard enough to get by without solid location. There’s a chance he gets another spot start this season to keep Boston’s regular starters fresh for the playoffs.

As was speculated yesterday, Paez will make his first MLB start for the Red Sox on Tuesday in Sonny Gray’s place. The 22-year-old has allowed just four runs on seven hits in 12 1/3 innings while posting an 18/2 K/BB ratio in three starts for Triple-A Worcester. He’s not a recommended play in fantasy leagues outside of deep AL-only format.

The team is skipping Sonny Gray’s start on Tuesday, so they are likely going to need a spot starter. Paez was given another day off this weekend and is “probably” going to pitch for Triple-A Worcester on Tuesday. That lines him up with Gray’s schedule if the Red Sox choose to make the move. He’s made three starts in Triple-A since being promoted but has allowed just four runs on seven hits in 12 1/3 innings while posting an 18/2 K/BB ratio. He would not be a recommended fantasy streamer, but it would be interesting to see how close he is to throwing meaningful innings in 2027.

The 22-year-old also struck out eight and didn’t walk a single batter, while throwing 74 percent of his pitches for strikes and posting a 26 percent swinging strike rate. Paez was primarily a long reliever in Double-A, but he has started in both of his appearances in Triple-A as the Red Sox look for more starting pitching depth. He faced a lot of lefties on Tuesday, and his cutter and changeup were real weapons for him. His four-seamer also sits 92.6 mph, but he uses his cutter as his primary fastball and also features a sinker and curve as well. He could give the Red Sox some innings in September to help them save some of their other starters for the postseason.

Paez was originally selected by the White Sox with the second pick in the Rule 5 Draft, but he was waived in April and returned to the Red Sox. The 22-year-old had a 4.41 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, and a 56/5 K/BB ratio in 49 innings over 17 appearances (seven starts) in Double-A.

Paez ships up to Boston after passing through waivers unclaimed following his removal from Chicago’s active roster earlier this week. The 22-year-old reliever made the White Sox’ season-opening bullpen as a Rule 5 pick, but wound up lasting just one week in the big leagues, allowing six runs on four hits with three walks and zero strikeouts over three innings of work.

This is a rough break for Paez. The 22-year-old had never pitched above High-A but was selected by the White Sox in the Rule 5 draft, so they had to keep him on the MLB roster or give him back to the Red Sox. He lasted a week on the roster and will now be available to other teams on waivers. If he clears, he’ll likely rejoin the Red Sox.