Ex-Red Sox Hurler DFA'd By NL West Club After Tumultuous Start To 2023 Season

Should another team take a chance on the lefty reliever?

One former member of the Boston Red Sox will soon find himself looking for a new club. 

Former Red Sox relief pitcher Fernando Abad officially was designated for assignment by the Colorado Rockies on Sunday afternoon, according to the club. 

The 37-year-old lefty signed with Colorado to a minor league contract ahead of the 2023 campaign and began the season in Triple-A, but was able to work his way back up to the big leagues. In 13 appearances with the Triple-A Albuquerque Isotopes, Abad compiled a 1.69 ERA to go along with 20 strikeouts and two saves. 

Abad's Triple-A success didn't carry over to the big league level to begin the season, although in a small sample size. The 37-year-old compiled a 10.13 ERA in three appearances for Colorado before being designated for assignment. Abad allowed two home runs and three earned runs overall across 2 2/3 innings pitched for the Rockies this season.

The journeyman likely will find himself looking for a new team in the not-so-distant future. Once a player is designated for assignment, the club has one week to either trade the player or other clubs can pick him up off waivers. If neither thing happens within a week, the player can become a free agent. Abad is 37 years old so he may not get another big league opportunity, but he was extremely efficient at the minor league level this season so it may make sense for a club to sign him to another minor league deal. 

Abad began his big league career in 2010 with the Houston Astros and spent the first three seasons of his career with the club. Since 2013, Abad has spent time with the Washington Nationals, Oakland Athletics, Minnesota Twins, Red Sox, San Francisco Giants, and Baltimore Orioles. 

The 37-year-old was acquired by the Red Sox during the 2016 season and spent the entire 2017 season with the club before becoming a free agent. Over the two seasons, Abad compiled a 3.99 ERA to go along with 49 strikeouts and 22 walks in 66 appearances. 

There's no way for sure to know what will come next for Abad, but it wouldn't be too surprising to him playing elsewhere shortly. 

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