Jedixson Páez is back in the Major Leagues, but this time wearing the uniform of the Boston Red Sox, the organization that originally signed him as a free agent in 2021 and traded him to the Chicago White Sox through the Rule 5 Draft last December.
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The Red Sox took advantage of Tuesday's roster expansion to promote the Venezuelan to the big league team along with veteran utility player Isiah Kiner-Falefa, who was reinstated from the 60-day injured list.
The 22-year-old right-handed pitcher became the first Venezuelan to debut in the current Major League Baseball season on March 26. However, after allowing six runs in three innings across three appearances out of the bullpen, Chicago designated him for assignment. Since he went unclaimed, Rule 5 rules required him to be returned to the Red Sox organization along with half of the agreed-upon transfer fee.
In this way, the young pitcher receives a new opportunity at the highest level and will soon take the mound to demonstrate his progress in the club's farm system, as he was scheduled as the starter for Tuesday night's game in the second of the series against the Seattle Mariners at Fenway Park.
Control and dominance on the farms
During his time in Boston's minor league system this year, Páez made 20 appearances (including 10 starts) between the Double-A and Triple-A affiliates. In that span, he posted a 4.11 ERA in 61.1 innings pitched, striking out 74 and issuing only seven walks, a clear indication of his excellent command of his pitches.
His most recent stint with Worcester in Triple-A proved particularly dominant: he posted a 2.92 ERA over three starts, racking up 18 strikeouts and a minuscule 0.73 WHIP that ultimately opened the door for his return to the Big Leagues.
