Sox acquire Alcala from Twins to bolster beleaguered 'pen

BOSTON -- The Red Sox added bullpen reinforcement on Wednesday night in a trade with Minnesota that brought right-hander Jorge Alcala to Boston in exchange for infielder Andy Lugo, the club announced. Right-hander Brian Van Belle was designated for assignment to make room on the roster.

TRADE DETAILS
Red Sox get: RHP Jorge Alcala
Twins get: INF Andy Lugo

Alcala, 8.88 ERA this season, is a seven-year veteran who has spent the entirety of his career with the Twins and was viewed as a high-leverage option. The 29-year-old reliever last pitched on Tuesday, giving up six runs (five earned) over 1 2/3 innings. He has a career 4.32 ERA with 193 strikeouts over 166 games, all in relief.

With a number of key relievers sidelined by injury, the Red Sox have been feeling the weight of a taxed bullpen as of late. Ace setup man Justin Slaten is not progressing as quickly as expected from his right shoulder inflammation. Chris Murphy is rehabbing from Tommy John and isn’t expected to return until after the All-Star break. Liam Hendriks is dealing with right hip inflammation and isn’t doing anything baseball related, manager Alex Cora said on Wednesday.

Lefty Brennan Bernardino, who recorded a 0.71 ERA in 10 May appearances, pitched four times in a five-game span to start June, allowing six earned runs in three innings (18.00 ERA). Right-hander Greg Weissert has pitched in seven of Boston’s last 10 games, including getting two key outs in Wednesday’s win over the Rays.

Earlier on Wednesday night, Cora noted the importance of Thursday’s off-day ahead of a weekend home series against New York.

“We're almost there. We're almost there,” Cora said. “Today, using Weissert in that spot, we needed it right to win the series. We'll see where we’re at Friday. But I think little by little, guys are getting back to being green or fresh, whatever you want to call it. And we got the big boy [Garrett Crochet starting] on Friday. We expect him to go deep into the game, and we should be OK over the weekend.”

Lugo has been in Boston’s system since 2021, playing one season in Rookie ball before time with Single-A Salem (87 games) and High-A Greenville (21 games) in ‘24. Working primarily as a first and third baseman, Lugo played in 44 games for Greenville this season, hitting .265 with four homers, 11 doubles and 20 RBIs.

Van Belle, who has been in the organization since 2021, was called up to Boston for the first time on Monday and did not appear in a game for the Red Sox. The right-hander had a 2.29 ERA with Triple-A Worcester this season over 12 games (eight starts).