Red Sox recall Joely Rodriguez ahead of series vs. Diamondbacks

Boston also optioned Greg Weissert to the WooSox and placed James Paxton on the 60-day injured list.

Joely Rodriguez was on the Red Sox’ Opening Day roster this season. AP Photo/Stephen Brashear

The Red Sox added a second left-handed pitcher to their pitching staff on Friday.

Boston recalled southpaw Joely Rodriguez from the Triple-A Worcester Red Sox and optioned right-handed reliever Greg Weissert to the WooSox before the major league club’s first game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Fenway Park this weekend. Starter James Paxton was also placed on the 60-day injured list (calf strain), effectively ending his season.

Rodriguez will join reliever Brennan Bernardino as the only other Red Sox’ lefty pitcher on the active roster. One of Boston’s only southpaws, Cam Booser, was placed on the 15-day injured list due to left elbow inflammation on Aug. 14. Booser has made 41 appearances for the Red Sox this season; it’s evident that Boston wants Rodriguez to fill Booser’s role until he can return to the mound.

The 32-year-old Rodriguez began the regular season on the Red Sox’ Opening Day roster, but the team designated him for assignment in April. He was outrighted to Worcester and has spent the last four months with the club. Rodriguez pitched in 11 games for Boston between March 28 and April 26 with a 6.55 ERA.

Since then, in 13 relief appearances for the WooSox, Rodriguez has posted a 1.88 ERA, a 1.12 WHIP, and recorded 13 strikeouts. Opponents are batting .157 with one home run off of the lefty.

Rodriguez landed on Worcester’s injured list on May 11 with right hip inflammation and didn’t return until June 25. He dealt with the same ailment during an injury-riddled 2023 season with the big league club. Rodriguez missed 134 games with his hip issue, a right oblique strain, and left shoulder inflammation last year.

The lefty will look to provide the Red Sox with bullpen help down the stretch as the team eyes the playoffs for the first time since 2021.

Manager Alex Cora said he thought Rodriguez had more innings to offer after Boston designated him for assignment earlier in favor of adding Bernardino at the time.

“Joely has been a big leaguer throughout his career, he’s been good at what he does and it just didn’t happen,” Cora said on April 28. “I believe there’s something there still, but for us right now, this is what we have to do.”