Red Sox acquire right-handed pitcher from Houston Astros

The Boston Red Sox have bolstered their bullpen by acquiring right-handed reliever Alex Speas from the Houston Astros via waivers.

Speas was designated for assignment by the Astros last week and was not granted waivers, allowing the Red Sox to claim him.

Before getting hurt in 2018, Speas had a fastball that would hit 102 mph, which his original team, the Texas Rangers, thought would make him a star. However, an injury derailed his trajectory, but the right-hander made his MLB debut last season where he appeared in three games and allowed three earned runs in 2.0 innings of work.

The second round pick in the 2016 MLB Draft was then designated for assignment by the Rangers before being selected on waivers by the Chicago White Sox in October 2023. He was then purchased by the Oakland Athletics who also DFAed him before ending up with Houston.

Now it’s the Red Sox’ turn to see if they can fix Speas, whose fastball now sits between 93 and 97 mph, and turn him into a functional member of the bullpen.

Some suggest he plays better as a starter now, rather than a reliever, after his injury.

Regardless, he failed to find his footing with the growing Astros and might fit better in Boston. He’s a low-risk, high-reward proposition for the Red Sox.

Although he has been a part of four MLB teams (prior to the Red Sox) in his young career, he has only seen MLB action with two. In 2024, he appeared in one game for Houston, pitching 2.0 innings and allowing one earned run.

He has a career 9.00 ERA over 4.0 innings.