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Red Sox Demote Reliever, Rumored To Call Up Acquisition

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The Boston Red Sox officially demoted left-handed pitcher Cam Booser to Triple-A Worcester today. Boston does not have to make a corresponding move until tomorrow, when the club kicks off a three-game set against the Oakland Athletics. Despite that transaction being unconfirmed, multiple sources, including MassLive’s Chris Cotillo, are pointing to right-hander Trey Wingenter as Booser’s probable replacement. 

Red Sox Demote Cam Booser, Rumored To Call Up Trey Wingenter

Cam Booser Sent Down For Second Time This Season

Booser made his major league debut this season with Boston. The 32-year-old spent over seven years in the minors before getting called up. His contract was selected on April 19, when he made his first MLB appearance against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Booser spent the next two months with the Red Sox, pitching to a 3.21 ERA in 26 games. After giving up three runs on June 2, he did not surrender another over his next eight outings. 

Booser was sent down to Triple-A on June 24, the day after a scoreless one-inning appearance against the Cincinnati Reds. He spent just over a week with Worcester before returning to the big leagues on July 5. After returning, Booser pitched once. He allowed just one hit and a walk over two innings of work against the New York Yankees. However, the performance in Boston’s series win wasn’t enough to keep the lefty with the Red Sox.

Long Road to Boston

Booser originally signed as a free agent in February 2023 with Boston. He spent all of last season at Triple-A, posting a 4.99 ERA in 48 games and 57 ⅔ innings. Booser has struggled with Worcester this season while pitching at that level. Over nine innings and six outings, the Washington native has a 2-2 record and a high 7.00 ERA. Opponents in Triple-A are batting .316 against Booser in 2024.

Booser signed his first professional contract as a free agent with the Minnesota Twins in 2013. He spent five years in the lower levels of the minor leagues before retiring in 2017. Booser made a comeback five years later, signing with the Arizona Diamondbacks. He bounced around before finding a spot with the Red Sox. In a total of 151 minor league appearances, Booser has a career ERA of 4.89 with 257 strikeouts in just over 200 innings.

Recent Red Sox Acquisition Trey Wingenter Rumored To Take Booser’s Spot

Wingenter arrived in Boston’s system just two days ago via trade on July 6. The Red Sox acquired the right-hander from the Detroit Tigers in exchange for minor leaguer CJ Weins. Wingenter has a current assignment clause in his contract, according to Chris Cotillo. That means that his introduction to Boston’s 40-man roster is expected in the coming days.

Wingenter was a former 17th-round pick by the San Diego Padres in 2015. He made his MLB debut in 2018, appearing in 22 contests and pitching to a 3.79 ERA. He returned the following season with decreased production. Wingenter had a high 5.65 ERA in 51 outings with the Padres in 2019. He returned to the minors and wasn’t called up again until 2023 as a member of the Tigers. Last year in the AL Central, Wingenter had a 5.82 ERA in 17 innings. 

Despite struggling through most of his MLB tenure, Wingenter has produced in 2024 at the Triple-A level. In just under 33 innings this season, he has a 3.31 ERA and 48 strikeouts. Wingenter hasn’t posted similar numbers since 2018. Overall in his minor league career, the 30-year-old has a 3.48 ERA in 197 contests. Although, again, the move is not confirmed, it is assumed that the Auburn product will be the man to replace Booser. He is projected to join a bullpen that may change other personnel over the next month as well.

 

Photo Credit: © David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

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