Los Red Sox tuvieron un impacto significativo al firmar a una estrella mega para fortalecer la banca.

Boston — Bryan Mata is not a member of the Red Sox roster, but he was at Fenway Park and the team’s clubhouse on Friday night.

The 25-year-old righty arrived in the city to give Red Sox executives a 20-pitch bullpen session before the team’s deadline for deciding on his future Monday. Mata’s rehab assignment expires on July 15 and the Sox will have to make a decision regarding his future because he has no minor league options left and cannot be moved to Triple-A without being placed on waivers. Consequently, Mata’s future with the team he has been with since joining as an international free agent in January 2016 will depend on Boston’s decision to either designate him for assignment or add him to the active roster by Monday.

Before the decision is made, Mata will make his last rehab appearance with the WooSox on Sunday. Since July 2, he has made three appearances with the WooSox. In his most recent appearance, on Wednesday against Rochester, he gave up three runs on two hits in two innings.

Manager Alex Cora stated, “He came here to throw a bullpen.” “Sunday is his pitching day. merely to view him. In the previous one, we saw a few things. They are, of course, directly across the street. He threw about twenty pitches, and on Sunday he will likely pitch two or three innings.

Due to his status as the Red Sox organization’s top pitching prospect, Mata was added to the 40-man roster in November 2020. After having successful seasons in 2016 and 2017, the Venezuelan native caught the attention of scouts. In July 2018, while playing for High-A Salem, he was chosen for the All-Star Futures Game. Equipped with a velocity-driven fastball, two breaking pitches, and a changeup, he surged up the prospect rankings, reaching a peak ranking of No. 4 in Baseball America’s rankings for 2018, 2019, and 2020.

Following Tommy John surgery, Mata missed all of 2021 and half of 2022 following the cancellation of the 2020 minor league season. Due to a right teres major injury, he only played 27 innings at Triple-A last season. Mata’s journey to the main leagues was entirely derailed by his persistent ailments as well as certain doubts regarding his between-start practices.

Mata only has three minor league options, thus 2024 will either make or break him. He used them in 2021, 2022, and 2023. His season debut was postponed until May 13 due to a left hamstring strain that he sustained during spring training. A lat strain ten days later forced him to miss action. His most recent rehabilitation assignment began in Portland on June 16. Over his four levels combined, he has a 4.71 ERA and has given up 23 hits in 21 innings pitched.