Tyler

Samaniego

An unsuccessful appearance as an opener against the Guardians pushed Samaniego’s ERA to 2.66 on the season, and he threw 34 pitches on Tuesday, so the Red Sox opted for a fresher arm. Samaniego’s 1.47 WHIP is a little high, but otherwise he doesn’t appear to have much to prove in the minors. This is just how lower-roster relievers are shuttled about these days.

Boston’s opener gambit backfired when lefty Tyler Samaniego surrendered four runs in a calamitous first inning. However, Bello came on afterwards and delivered one of his strongest performances of the season, pitching behind an opener for the fourth time in his last five starts. He limited Cleveland to just four baserunners while piling up five strikeouts. He’s compiled a strong 2.67 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 23/6 K/BB ratio across 30 1/3 innings over five outings since May 1. He’ll get the ball against the Orioles at home on Thursday.

It’ll be Tyler Samaniego taking the ball as Boston’s opener before turning things over the Bello for a multi-inning outing. It’s the fourth time he’s followed an opener in his last five starts. The strategy has seemingly worked for the Red Sox as Bello has been much more effective in those relief outings than as a traditional starter. His odds of factoring into the decision are also exponentially higher when entering the contest later, which is a bonus for fantasy managers.

Samaniego has a 1.04 ERA in 18 games with the Red Sox this year, so it was surprising that he was optioned back to Worcester on Sunday in the first place. Garrett Whitlock’s placement on the injured list opened the door for Samaniego to reclaim his roster spot.

The 27-year-old southpaw has been outstanding during his time with the Red Sox this season, so it’s a bit surprising to see him continue to wind up on the outside looking in, though having minor league options remaining works against him in this case. He holds a brilliant 1.04 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and a 13/7 K/BB ratio across 17 1/3 innings in 18 appearances with the Red Sox. The move makes way for the return of Danny Coulombe from the injured list on Sunday.

Sameniego is up to give the Red Sox some bullpen help. The 27-year-old likely will be sent back down when the Red Sox need a new rotation arm, so this likely will be a short stay.

Cotillo adds that Tyler Samaniego will be called up on Tuesday to take Gray’s roster spot and fortify Boston’s relief corps. The 36-year-old veteran is scheduled to undergo an MRI to determine the severity of hamstring issue that led to his early exit from Monday’s start against the Tigers after just 2 2/3 innings. It’s not official yet, but all signs point to top pitching prospect Payton Tolle coming up to fill his rotation spot against the Orioles this weekend. The hard-throwing 23-year-old southpaw needs to be rostered in all fantasy formats based on his strikeout upside.

Samaniego will get the boot with Jack Anderson joining the Red Sox in his place. Samaniego will likely be back at some point as a middle-inning option over the coming months.

Samaniego was part of the return the Red Sox got from the Pirates for outfield prospect Jhostynxon Garcia this offseason. The 27-year-old left-hander has allowed two earned runs on five hits in 5 1/3 innings at Triple-A with three strikeouts and two walks. If he gets into a game for the Red Sox, it will be his MLB debut.

The 27-year-old left-hander came over from the Pirates in a trade this offseason along with Johan Oviedo. Samaniego had a good spring, throwing 5 1/3 shutout innings while allowing just one hit and striking out six. However, he has minor league options left, and the Red Sox have three other left-handed relievers in their bullpen, so they opted to send Samaniego to the minors and kept Ryan Watson on the team. Watson is a Rule 5 pick, so he would have needed to be sent back to the Athletics if he didn’t make the Opening Day roster.