Seattle claims Red Sox pitcher Tapia off waivers
Bill KochBOSTON — Domingo Tapia is the first roster casualty of what should be a busy offseason for the Red Sox.
The right-handed relief pitcher was claimed off waivers by the Mariners on Friday. Tapia made his big-league debut with Boston on Sept. 11 and appeared in five games.
That opens a 40-man roster spot for the Red Sox, and the club will need several more at the close of the World Series. Boston has seven players on the extended injured list who don’t count against the current total. The Red Sox will also need to add several prospects who otherwise would be open to selection in the Rule 5 Draft.
Tapia covered 4 1/3 innings with Boston, allowing four hits and a lone earned run. He walked two, struck out four and averaged a sizzling 98.9 mph on his fastball. Tapia spent all of 2019 with Triple-A Pawtucket, appearing in 44 games and pitching to a 5.18 earned-run average.
The Red Sox signed the 29-year-old Tapia as a minor league free agent in November 2018. His career began with the Mets in 2009 as an international free agent from the Dominican Republic. Tapia signed with the Reds as a minor league free agent in November 2016 and spent two years in their organization.
Andrew Benintendi (right rib cage), Colten Brewer (right middle finger), Zack Godley (right elbow), Kyle Hart (left hip), Dustin Pedroia (left knee), Eduardo Rodriguez (myocarditis) and Chris Sale (left elbow) are all on the extended injured list and don’t currently count against the 40-man. Benintendi, Pedroia and Sale are all under contract for 2021 while Godley and Rodriguez are both eligible for arbitration. Boston will need to add each player following the World Series or risk parting with them through waivers.
Three pitching prospects and another trio of 2020 trade additions also figure to be among those added to the 40-man. Jay Groome, Bryan Mata and Connor Seabold will all be exposed to Rule 5 for the first time. Hudson Potts and Jeisson Rosario were the return in the deal that sent Mitch Moreland to the Padres and Connor Wong was part of the return in the blockbuster that sent Mookie Betts and David Price to the Dodgers.