The Boston Red Sox have no shortage of issues to sort through as they try to climb out of the American League East cellar. But for fans looking back on brighter days — especially the club’s 2018 World Series title run — there is also news involving one of the familiar names from that era.
Drew Pomeranz, the former Red Sox All-Star who revived his career last season, has hit another setback with the Los Angeles Angels. After battling injuries and uncertainty for years, the veteran left-hander managed one of the more surprising comeback stories in baseball, re-emerging as a dependable bullpen option and earning his way back to the majors with the Chicago Cubs.
That resurgence helped Pomeranz land a $4 million deal with the Angels. Now, however, his time with the club appears to be in jeopardy.
According to MLB Trade Rumors, the Angels selected the contract of right-hander Brett Kerry and recalled right-hander Jose Fermín from Triple-A Salt Lake. In the related roster moves, the team placed right-hander Grayson Rodriguez on the 15-day injured list with low back inflammation and designated Pomeranz for assignment.
Boston Red Sox World Series Champion Cut From New Team’s Roster After Regression
For Red Sox fans, the development is a disappointing update on a player once tied to one of the franchise’s most successful recent seasons. While Boston continues searching for answers on its current roster, Pomeranz’s latest turn serves as another reminder of how quickly fortunes can change in baseball.
That opportunity turned into a $4 million contract with the Los Angeles Angels, but it now seems to have come to an end.
“The Angels announced that they have selected the contract of right-hander Brett Kerry and recalled right-hander Jose Fermín from Triple-A Salt Lake,” Darragh McDonald reported for MLB Trade Rumors. “In corresponding moves, they have placed right-hander Grayson Rodriguez on the 15-day injured list with low back inflammation and designated left-hander Drew Pomeranz for assignment.”
Latest Turn For Boston Red Sox World Series Champion Marks Harsh Turn
Pomeranz, now 37, earned an All-Star selection in 2016, a season in which he joined the Red Sox from the San Diego Padres. Across three seasons with Boston, he maintained a 4.24 ERA and made six starts, with 311 strikeouts in a little more than 316 innings.
But after leading Boston, he struggled to stay healthy and it seemed his career might be over before he enjoyed a resurgence with the Cubs last year.
The Angels’ contract for this year indicated they believed that resurgence could continue, but it seems Pomeranz has been the victim of a stark regression.
“He had a great comeback with the Cubs last year, posting a 2.17 earned run average in 49 2/3 innings, striking out 28.1% of opponents while only giving out walks at a 7.4% pace,” McDonald added. “The Halos gave Pomeranz a $4MM deal for 2026, betting that he could keep it rolling. They have lost that bet.”
Now the Angels have opted to remove Pomeranz from the roster in a bid to give some more promising arms a chance to contribute.
“It’s one of those things where we just felt like (Fermin) is the better option, but Drew’s been the ultimate professional with us,” Angels manager Kurt Suzuki said of the decision, according to MLB.com’s Rhett Bollinger. “Great for the younger guys in the bullpen. It was just the time.”
That praise reflects the reputation Pomeranz has maintained throughout his lengthy career. Even as his on-field production declined, he has remained a respected veteran presence.
