Former Atlanta Braves left-handed pitcher Sean Newcomb will likely be searching for a new opportunity after his new team parted ways with him on Saturday.
The Boston Red Sox announced that the 32-year-old pitcher was designated for assignment as they called up minor league pitcher Luis Guerrero from Triple-A Worcester to take Newcomb’s spot. The former Braves pitcher was inconsistent on the mound in his first and only season with the Red Sox after pitching well in Spring Training.
Newcomb was outstanding in five Spring Training appearances, which played a part in helping him make the Opening Day roster on a minor league contract. It also helped that Boston was banged up in the starting rotation, opening up a path for Newcomb.
The southpaw had a stellar 0.63 ERA as he only allowed nine hits, three walks, two runs (one earned), racking up 13 strikeouts in 14.1 spring innings. However, Newcomb’s regular season outings with the Red Sox were a mixed bag, to say the least.
The former Brave started in the rotation, making five starts, but had a 0-3 record and a 4.43 ERA. Newcomb gave up 32 hits, 15 runs (11 earned), 11 walks, and a home run while only tallying 27 strikeouts in 22.1 innings.
Opponents also hit .348 off Newcomb as a starter and had an OPS of .836. As the Sox rotation got healthy, Boston moved the former Brave to the bullpen.
Newcomb pitched a little bit better in a relief role, sporting a 3.06 ERA in six appearances. The veteran allowed 22 hits, eight runs (six earned), five walks, and two home runs, while picking up 14 strikeouts in 17.2 innings. As a reliever, opponents hit .306 with an OPS of .777 at the plate.
Nonetheless, with Newbcomb being DFA’d, the Red Sox will have one week to trade or clear him through waivers. If it's the latter, Boston could outright send him to the minor leagues, but the former Brave will have a chance to accept or reject it.
After an up-and-down six-year career in Atlanta, where Newcomb had a 24-23 record and 4.25 ERA in 144 career games, he now tries to figure out what’s next. It would be shocking to see the Braves bring back the southpaw, who last pitched for the organization in 2022.
However, given how the Braves' front office has made moves regarding their minor league roster this season, the possibility of a reunion can't be discounted. Even so, the former Atlanta hurler will have much to prove if and when he gets his next shot.