Red Sox bolster bullpen with lefty Moore on Minors deal

FORT MYERS, Fla. -- In their ongoing quest to create more options in the bullpen, the Red Sox on Sunday signed veteran left-hander Matt Moore to a Minor League deal that includes an invite to Spring Training.

Aroldis Chapman and Justin Wilson, two offseason acquisitions via free agency, are the team’s top two lefties.

Moore got right to work trying to earn a spot on the team, throwing a bullpen session and huddling afterwards with Red Sox pitching coach Andrew Bailey.

"Just another experienced guy that is going to compete for a spot," said Red Sox manager Alex Cora. "He had a great season a few years ago. He understands what he needs to do. Physically, he looks great, just like Adam [Ottavino], just another adult in the room. They've been there for a while in this grind, and they understand what it takes. Where we are as a team now, experience comes into play."

If the Red Sox decide to add a third southpaw to the bullpen, Moore will be in competition with Brennan Bernardino (who is on the 40-man roster) and fellow non-roster invitees Jovani Moran and Sean Newcomb to win that job.

Moore also provides depth in case there is an injury to Chapman or Wilson.

The 35-year-old Moore pitched for the Angels in 2024, notching a 5.03 ERA with 41 strikeouts in 51 relief appearances. He didn’t allow an earned run from July 25 through Aug. 19.

In his last 164 relief appearances dating back to 2022, Moore has a 2.98 ERA while holding opponents to a .210 average.

Moore broke into the Major Leagues as a starter. In fact, he is best known to Red Sox fans for surrendering career homers Nos. 499 and 500 to David Ortiz on Sept. 12, 2015.

The 13-year veteran is 71-66 with a 4.39 ERA in 369 career appearances, including 164 starts.