Boston Red Sox Drop More Deadwood, Justin Masterson DFA’d

Photo Credit: Charles Krupa - AP

Photo Credit: Charles Krupa – AP

In their latest move to dump some of the deadwood they have acquired over the last three years and free up money to rebuild the team that won the World Series just two years ago, the Red Sox designated right handed pitcher Justin Masterson for assignment.

Masterson will likely be placed on waivers in the next few days. Under MLB rules, once a player is designated for assignment, the team has ten days to either trade him, release him, place him on waivers or return him to the 40-man roster. If they don’t find a trade partner right away, which is unlikely, the Sox will place him on waivers, hoping some other team will claim him and relieve them of his $9.5 million dollar salary.

He has been ineffective as both a starter and reliever with the Sox this year after being signed as a free agent in December of 2014. He has had control problems and appeared in 18 games, nine of which as a starter, giving up 27 walks and 37 earned runs in just 59 1/3 innings for a 5.61 ERA.

He was originally drafted by the Red Sox in the second round of the 2006 draft and made his debut with them in 2008 before being traded to the Cleveland Indians in 2009. He split last year between Cleveland and the St. Louis Cardinals. He made nine appearances and was 3-3 with a 7.04 ERA with St. Louis signing with Boston.

With the performance of Eduardo Rodriguez and the emergence of Henry Owens, who gave the Sox 10 innings of quality pitching in his first two Major League starts, the Sox decided that they had had enough of Masterson and his erratic production. In his career, he has played in 258 games, going 64-74 with a 4.31 ERA.

With a record of 50 wins and 62 losses – last place in the American League East and 12 games out of first – the Sox will continue to clean house while they try to get ready to rebuild for next year.