Bryan

Mata

One of the top pitching prospects in Boston’s system for nearly a decade, Mata struggled with injuries and never wound up making the big leagues despite triple-digit fastball velocity and a 29.9 percent strikeout rate across 67 1/3 innings over 42 relief appearances at Triple-A Worcester this past season. He seems like a strong candidate to put rebuild his long-term value overseas in Japan before returning stateside since he’s just 26 years old.

Mata was re-signed to a minor league contract just hours after being non-tendered by Boston in November, and he didn’t do enough in the Grapefruit League to justify a roster spot. He could be up at some point this spring if he pitches well in Triple-A, but Boston will need to clear room on the 40-man roster.

Well that didn’t take long. Mata was non-tendered on Friday evening, but just a couple of hours later he was brought back on a minor league deal. The former top prospect has struggled to live up to his billing thus far, but if he’s able to stay healthy he certainly has the stuff to get his career back on track.

Mata, once considered one of the top pitching prospects in the Red Sox’ organization, has seen his stock drop precipitously in recent years as he has been ravaged by injuries. Mata was limited to just 22 2/3 innings in the minor leagues in 2024 due to shoulder issues, ultimately registering a 4.37 ERA, 1.41 WHIP and a 20/9 K/BB ratio. If he’s able to stay healthy, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him get his career back on track with another organization.

TINSTAAPP. The unquestioned top pitching prospect in Boston’s system for the last several years, Mata never quite broke through as injuries have derailed his career. The 25-year-old righty has yet to arrive in the big leagues and missed all of last year due to a right shoulder issue.

This was just a procedural move as today was the deadline for the Red Sox to move them onto the 40-man roster. There’s a chance each pitcher will be healthy for the start of the 2025 season. Hendriks, Whitlock, and Campbell all figure to have a good chance to open the season in the bullpen, and Giolito has a chance to be in the rotation early in the season.

Mata goes to the 60-day injured list in order for Boston to clear a spot on the 40-man roster for the newly acquired James Paxton.

Mata has been on the injured list all season as he recovers from a hamstring injury. He continues to progress in his rehab with the Red Sox moving him up to Double-A.

Mata has been on the injured list since the beginning of the season while recovering from a hamstring injury. The 25-year-old will likely need several more appearances before potentially joining Boston, and there’s no guarantee he’ll be on the roster even if healthy enough to compete.

Mata is expected to be a part of the Red Sox bullpen this season and will likely return sometime in April. The 24-year-old has only pitched 110 innings since 2020 due to Tommy John surgery in 2021 and shoulder inflammation last season. He’ll need to show the Red Sox organization he can remain healthy if he plans on sticking around a while.