The Red Sox designated right-hander Seth Martinez for assignment on August 12, ending a Boston stint that lasted all of one appearance. MLB Trade Rumors flagged the move as it broke, and it's the kind of quick-hook transaction that only makes sense once you see the workload behind it.
Martinez was selected to the majors just 3 days earlier, on August 9, after posting a 5.55 ERA over 60 innings at Triple-A Worcester. His lone shot with the big club came in a loss to the Blue Jays, where he coughed up an earned run on 2 hits and a hit-by-pitch across 1 inning of work. That was the whole audition.
The bigger issue is roster mechanics, not just results. Martinez, 31, is out of minor league options, so Boston couldn't simply option him back to Worcester once they needed the spot. A DFA was the only route, which means he'll now have to clear waivers before landing anywhere — including back with the Red Sox.
Alec Gamboa is up from Worcester to take the open bullpen spot, continuing what's been a revolving door for Boston's relief corps down the stretch.
Martinez's path here has been a grind. Drafted by Oakland back in 2016, he debuted with Houston in 2021 and had his best year in 2022 with a 2.09 ERA. Miami designated him for assignment last September, he signed a minor league deal with the Red Sox in January, and this brief callup was supposed to be a foothold. Instead it's another line on an increasingly well-traveled resume — Houston, Miami, now Boston, and soon a fourth stop on waivers.