“🔴⚾️ Red Sox Drops Bombshell! Former SF Giants, Phillies Reliever Designated for Assignment – Shocking Move Rocks the Baseball World! Don’t Miss the Stunning Details! 💣🌪️ #RedSoxRevelation #MLBTradeWhirlwind”

On Wednesday, the Boston Red Sox designated right-handed relief pitcher Mauricio Llovera for assignment in order to open up a 40-man roster spot for their recent free agent acquisition, Lucas Giolito. Llovera, obtained in a trade with the SF Giants earlier in the year that involved sending pitching prospect Marques Johnson to San Francisco, now faces the possibility of being claimed off waivers by another team.

While Llovera spent most of the 2023 season buried in the Giants’ deep Triple-A bullpen, he became a regular presence in Boston’s bullpen following the trade. Combining both stints with the Giants and the Red Sox, Llovera concluded the season with a 4.89 ERA (4.34 FIP) in 35 innings pitched across 30 appearances in the majors, tallying 29 strikeouts and 15 walks. At Triple-A, he posted a 3.97 ERA with 29 strikeouts and 6 walks in 22.2 innings pitched across 19 appearances.

Originally signed by the Philadelphia Phillies as an international free agent in 2015, Llovera initially progressed through their organization as a starting pitcher. However, in 2020, the Phillies shifted him to the bullpen, and he made his MLB debut during the shortened pandemic season. Despite showing effectiveness in the upper minors, Llovera faced struggles, leading to his designation for assignment by the Phillies, who then outrighted him to the minor leagues. After becoming a free agent, he signed a minor-league deal with the Giants, where he began the 2022 season impressively at Triple-A before his promotion to the majors.

Unfortunately, Llovera’s season was cut short due to an elbow injury, prompting the Giants to designate him for assignment. Despite this, they retained him on a minor-league contract during the offseason. Now, the Red Sox have made a similar move, and it remains to be seen if they will attempt to retain Llovera on a minor-league deal after he passes through waivers.

Although the SF Giants are yet to see significant contributions from the trade involving Mauricio Llovera, Marques Johnson, the pitching prospect acquired in the deal, has shown promise. A 2022 11th-round draft pick by the Red Sox from Cal State Long Beach, Johnson improved significantly with Single-A San Jose after struggling at Single-A Salem. Notably, he did not allow an earned run after joining the Giants and made appearances in the Arizona Fall League.