Rich Hill’s latest stint with the Red Sox proved to be brief, as the club announced Friday it was designating the 44-year-old left hander from Milton for assignment.
In his place, the Red Sox are bringing up another Boston-area standout.
Luis Guerrero, a 24-year-old right-hander who was born in the Dominican Republic and grew up in Boston’s Franklin Park neighborhood, earned his call to the majors on Friday and will have a chance to prove he belongs over the last three weeks of the season. Guerrero was a 17th round pick out of Chipola College in the 2021 MLB Draft, but he’s since established himself as one of Boston’s most promising relief pitcher prospects.
Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Guerrero had earned the promotion.
“He’s throwing the ball well and throwing a lot of strikes, getting a lot of swings and misses and we felt it was time to get him here,” Cora said. “With Rich, obviously a tough one, everybody feels about him, he’s going to be a Red Sox for life. I think it’s smart for us to start getting guys here who can contribute now and obviously in the future.”
“It’s a dream come true,” Guerrero said via translator Carlos Villoria Benítez. “I’m also grateful for the opportunity that this organization has given me to play here for my childhood team.”
Guerrero has spent the entire season at Triple-A Worcester, posting a 3.31 ERA with 79 strikeouts over 54.1 innings. Boasting a fastball that touches 100 mph, Guerrero is an overpowering presence who has been selected to the MLB All-Star Futures Game and last year earned Boston’s Minor League Reliever of the Year award.
He has also overcome significant adversity to reach the highest levels of the sport.
As a child Guerrero underwent surgery on his right knee, which hindered the development of his muscles and left him with limited mobility for the rest of his life. He now walks with a limp because his right leg is shorter than his left, but that hasn’t stopped him from becoming Boston’s No. 28 ranked prospect according to MLB Pipeline, and now from becoming a major leaguer.
Cora said Guerrero is proof that anyone can make it in baseball if they’re willing to put in the work.
“You can be 6-foot-10 or 5-foot-7, skinny, big, strong, it doesn’t matter, you’ve got a shot,” Cora said.
Guerrero said he was playing a video game with his teammates in Worcester when he found out he’d be coming to Boston, and once he arrived he was informed by Cora that he wasn’t just on the taxi squad, but he was being added to the active roster. Walking into Fenway Park for the first time as a player was “emotional,” but after attending countless games as a fan, he can’t wait for the chance to take the mound for the first time.
“It was a dream to be able to pitch one day and I’m happy today that dream is coming true,” he said.
Extra innings
Despite a minor setback that prevented him from pitching back to back days, right-hander Liam Hendriks (Tommy John rehab) is still confident he’ll be able to pitch in the majors this season. “I think it’s important for me, not only physically but also mentally, to make sure I can get back this year.” … Left-hander Cam Booser (left elbow inflammation) will most likely resume his rehab assignment on Saturday or Sunday. The lefty made an appearance with Worcester on Aug. 29 but was given extra rest after his recovery didn’t go as well as hoped. … Right-hander Bryan Mata (right elbow inflammation) threw a bullpen today and could start his own rehab assignment next week. … Right-handers Lucas Sims (right lat strain) and Luis Garcia (right shoulder inflammation) are playing catch and feeling better, but still not close to a return. … Cora said the club is no longer considering activating infielder David Hamilton (fractured left index finger) as a pinch running specialist, though the team hasn’t ruled out his return before the end of the season.
