Red Sox trade for lefty reliever in deal with Pirates
Article excerpt
The Boston Red Sox acquired left-handed reliever Joe La Sorsa from the Pittsburgh Pirates on Thursday, bolstering their bullpen with another arm for the remainder of the season. The trade represents the Red Sox's continued effort to strengthen their relief pitching corps, a critical component as teams push toward the playoffs. La Sorsa brings left-handed pitching depth to a relief unit that has faced inconsistency throughout the year. The specifics of what Boston sent to Pittsburgh in return were not immediately detailed, but such mid-season acquisitions typically involve minor league prospects or future considerations as teams make final roster adjustments.
BOSTON, The Red Sox acquired left-handed reliever Joe La Sorsa from the Pirates on Thursday.
Boston sent cash to Pittsburgh.
La Sorsa, 28, will be activated on Friday when the Sox open a three-game series at Yankee Stadium. He will take Brayan Bello’s spot on the roster. The Red Sox optioned Bello to Triple-A Worcester after his poor start Thursday.
La Sorsa had spent this entire season to date with Pirates’ Triple-A affiliate, Indianapolis. He posted a 3.46 ERA in 22 outings, including two starts. He struck out 22 batters and walked six in 26 innings while holding opponents to a .237 batting average.
He has made 46 major league relief appearances across three seasons, posting a 5.21 ERA (57 innings, 33 earned runs), 5.39 FIP and 1.37 WHIP. He pitched for the Rays and Nationals in 2023, the Nationals in 2024 and the Reds in 2025.
The 6-foot-5, 224-pounder also pitched for Team Italy in the 2026 World Baseball Classic, allowing two runs in 2 ⅔ innings.
He was an 18th-round pick in the 2018 draft out of St. John’s. He throws a sinker, four-seam fastball, sweeper, changeup and cutter, according to his Baseball Savant page.
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