The Boston Red Sox lost another arm from their organization Friday after right-hander Ryan Watson was claimed off waivers by the Los Angeles Angels.
The move comes just days after Boston designated Watson for assignment. MLB Trade Rumors first reported the claim, while Newsday's Tim Healey shared the news on X.
Boston enters the day at 63-51, sitting third in the American League East and firmly in the American League Wild Card race.
Because Watson was selected in the Rule 5 Draft, the Angels cannot immediately send him to Triple-A Salt Lake. Instead, he must remain on Los Angeles' active 26-man roster unless the club works through the Rule 5 process.
The Angels were able to make the move without difficulty after creating multiple openings on their 40-man roster before the trade deadline.
Watson appeared in 35 games for the Red Sox this season, posting a 1-0 record with a 4.53 ERA, a 1.31 WHIP and 43 strikeouts across 55.2 innings. The 28-year-old has stayed healthy throughout the year while providing valuable multi-inning relief.
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The right-hander has reinvented himself as a dependable bullpen option, relying primarily on a 92-to-94 mph sinker and an upper-80s cutter while mixing in a sweeping slider. That combination has helped him generate ground balls and work effectively through multiple innings when needed.
Boston's decision to part with Watson reflects the roster flexibility that often comes with a postseason push, while the Angels continue adding controllable pitching as they evaluate talent for the future. For Watson, the waiver claim provides another opportunity to establish himself at the major league level with a club that can immediately use his versatility out of the bullpen.
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