Right-handed pitcher Matt Fox has been claimed by the Boston Red Sox, according to the Minneapolis Star-Tribune's Joe Christensen. The Minnesota Twin farmhand was designated for assignment this past Sunday, only two days following a successful MLB debut against the Texas Rangers.
Originally drafted with the 35th overall pick in 2004, Fox has has spent more than six years in the minors and owns a career 3.64 ERA and 1.27 WHIP, according to TheBaseballCube.com.
During this 2010 season with Minnesota's Triple-A affiliate Rochester Red Wings, the 27-year-old Floridian dealt 123 innings, fanned 104, and posted a 3.95 ERA.
While the move was perhaps necessary for the first-place Twins, it opened the door for the flailing Red Sox to acquire an arm that could bolster their bullpen in 2011.
In his first Major League start this past Friday, Fox went 5.2 innings against a tough Texas lineup and allowed four hits, one walk, and two earned runs en route to a no decision. The four hits came off the bats of Josh Hamilton, Nelson Cruz, Elvis Andrus, and David Murphy.
While the Red Sox' 2011 rotation is all-but set due to contracts with Josh Beckett, John Lackey, Jon Lester, Clay Buchholz, Daisuke Matsuzaka, and Tim Wakefield, the 2011 bullpen is just as up in the air given the pen's struggles in 2010.
Fox appears to have the stuff, but he needs a sustained shot at The Show. Thanks to a pennant race, Fox may get that shot in Boston in the very near future.
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