BOSTON — Bryan Mata was at Fenway Park and in the Red Sox’ clubhouse Friday night — but he’s not an active member of the roster.
The 25-year-old righty was in town to throw a 20-pitch bullpen in front of Red Sox brass ahead of the club’s due date for making a decision on his future Monday. Because Mata is out of minor league options and can’t be sent to Triple-A without being exposed to waivers, the Sox must decide on his fate at the end of his rehab assignment, which maxes out at 30 days on July 15. Therefore, Boston must decide whether to add Mata to the active roster or designate him for assignment by Monday — a decision that will decide his future with an organization he has been with since signing as an international free agent in Jan. 2016.
Mata will make his final rehab appearance with the WooSox on Sunday before it’s decision time. He has made three appearances for the WooSox since July 2 and allowed three runs on two hits in two innings last time out against Rochester on Wednesday.
“He came here to throw a bullpen,” said manager Alex Cora. “He’s pitching on Sunday. Just to see him. There was a few things we saw in the last one. Obviously, they’re right down the street. He threw like 20 pitches and he’ll go probably two or three innings on Sunday.”
Mata was formerly the top pitching prospect in the Red Sox’ organization, leading him to being placed on the 40-man roster in Nov. 2020. The Venezuela native got on scouts’ radars with strong seasons in 2016 and 2017 and was selected to the All-Star Futures Game in July 2018, while at High-A Salem. Armed with a high-velocity fastball, two breaking balls and a changeup, he climbed up prospect charts and was ranked by Baseball America as one of the top six prospects in the system in 2018, 2019 and 2020, peaking at No. 4. After the 2020 minor league season was canceled, Mata missed all of 2021 and half of 2022 after undergoing Tommy John surgery. Last year, a right teres major strain limited him to 27 innings at Triple-A. The repeated injuries — and some questions about Mata’s between-start routines — completely sidetracked his path to the majors.
Mata used minor league options in 2021, 2022 and 2023 (players only get three) so he 2024 is a make-or-break year for him. He suffered a left hamstring during spring training that delayed his season debut until May 13, then was shut down due to a lat issue 10 days later. His most latest rehab assignment started June 16 at Portland. In total, across four levels, he owns a 4.71 ERA while allowing 23 hits in 21 innings.
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