The Boston Red Sox got an important piece to their pitching depth in their minor leagues over the weekend when it was announced that the Toronto Blue Jays returned pitcher Angel Bastardo to the Red Sox.
Bastardo was selected by Toronto in the MLB Rule 5 Draft all the way back in December of 2024. The right-hander had just had Tommy John surgery on his torn UCL right before the draft, so he sat out the entire 2025 season rehabbing his way back to health. Due to Rule 5 Draft rules, Bastardo had to make the Blue Jays opening day roster and be on their 26-man roster for 60 days. Once he did not make the opening day roster, he was DFA'd and went through waivers before being offered back to the Red Sox for $50,000.
After it was announced of the intentions for the team to let him go, pitchers in big league camp with him were surprised to see him not make the team.
"A lot of us were very surprised he didn't make the team," a Blue Jays pitcher told Baseball Now. "His stuff looked pretty damn good. I never saw him get hit hard or anything close to that. From what I saw, he had a solid camp. He had very nasty stuff in the big league games I saw him throw in. A little raw, but just very nasty stuff."
Now back with the Red Sox, the Venezuela native has reported to Fort Myers to continue building back up before reporting to Triple-A Worcester.