Boston Red Sox Sign Left-handed Pitcher Coulombe, Place Gonzalez on 60-Day Injured List

Following their offseason restructuring of the starting rotation, the Red Sox are still strengthening their relief corps. The club revealed today that they have reached a one-year Major League deal with left-handed pitcher Danny Coulombe. To open a position on the 40-man roster, the Red Sox moved Romy Gonzalez to the 60-day injured list. Gonzalez had a successful arthroscopic debridement procedure on his left shoulder today.

Despite limited innings pitched, 36-year-old Coulombe has been one of the most effective left-handed pitchers in the league over recent years. Over the past five seasons, the veteran lefty posted a 2.64 ERA across 188 appearances, averaging more than one strikeout per inning.

Coulombe performed excellently for the Minnesota Twins in 2025, recording a 1.16 ERA over 40 appearances, before being traded to the Texas Rangers at the trade deadline. His opportunities with the Rangers were limited, resulting in a 5.25 ERA in 15 games, but over the entire season he still delivered a 2.30 ERA with 43 strikeouts across 43 innings pitched.

Coulombe utilizes a five-pitch arsenal, primarily relying on his cutter. He does not rely on velocity but effectively generates swings and misses, induces chase on pitches outside the zone, and avoids being hit solidly.

Although injury issues have troubled Coulombe, he has established himself in the bullpen over 11 Major League seasons. He has played for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Oakland Athletics, Minnesota Twins, and Baltimore Orioles. In early 2025, he signed a one-year $3 million contract to return to Minnesota with the Twins, before later being traded to the Rangers.

Coulombe is expected to play a significant role in the Red Sox bullpen, which features Aroldis Chapman, Garrett Whitlock, and Justin Slaten. Prior to this signing, Chapman and Jovani Morán were the only two left-handed pitchers projected on the Red Sox's Opening Day roster; Coulombe is likely to immediately assume high-leverage inning roles.