The Red Sox have released veteran right-hander Walker Buehler, the club announced Friday afternoon.
Buehler’s release came exactly one week after the Red Sox moved him to the bullpen, during a four-game series at Yankee Stadium, and hours before top pitching prospect Payton Tolle’s major league debut on Friday. Releasing Buehler opens spots on the 40-man and active roster for Tolle.
Buehler signed a one-year, $21.05 million contract with the Red Sox last December, less than two months after closing out the ’24 World Series for the Dodgers at Yankee Stadium. He struggled in 22 starts for Boston, pitching to a 5.40 ERA over 110 innings. After being moved to the bullpen, he made one relief appearance last Saturday in the Bronx in which he allowed two earned runs on two hits in 2.1 innings.
The Red Sox also optioned outfield prospect Jhostynxon Garcia back to Triple-A and recalled infielder/outfielder Nick Sogard.
Payton Tolle, shown here pitching for Wichita State in 2022, has risen quickly through the Red Sox’s farm system.(AP Photo/Colin E. Braley, File)
Tolle’s meteoric rise
Tolle’s big league call-up capped off a rapid ascension for the rookie, who was drafted in the second round of last summer’s MLB draft and didn’t make his professional debut until this spring. Tolle was initially assigned to High-A Greenville out of spring training and quickly earned promotions to Double-A Portland and Triple-A Worcester. He also went from unranked to No. 40 on Baseball America’s Top 100 Prospects Rankings.
In 20 appearances across the three levels Tolle posted a 3.04 ERA with 133 strikeouts in 91.2 innings, and after allowing two home runs in the first inning of his Triple-A debut, he’s since allowed just one run in his last 14 innings with Worcester.
He made his first start after just three outings with the WooSox.
Tolle’s call-up comes as the Red Sox enter the home stretch of what should be a tight playoff race, and the rookie will be asked to fortify a rotation that has seen its depth heavily depleted by injury. Few have debuted in such a high profile spot, as Tolle will not only take the mound at a crucial juncture of Boston’s season, but he’ll debut on a Friday night against Skenes, the premier young pitcher in baseball and the National League Cy Young Award favorite.
More moves
Prior to Thursday’s series finale in Baltimore, the Red Sox activated right-hander Justin Slaten from the 60-day injured list. The club also activated outfielder Rob Refsnyder from the 10-day IL, placed first baseman Nathaniel Lowe on the paternity leave list and optioned left-hander Jovani Moran to Triple-A.
Slaten hadn’t pitched since May 28 due to a nerve issue in his neck and shoulder, but prior to the injury the right-hander served as Boston’s top eighth inning set-up man. Slaten has posted a 3.47 ERA in 24 appearances this season, his second with the Red Sox after joining the club as a rookie Rule 5 selection in 2024.
His return gives the Red Sox another late inning weapon to pair with closer Aroldis Chapman and fellow set-up man Garrett Whitlock, while also strengthening the bullpen’s overall depth.
Refsnyder missed 11 games with a left oblique strain, but prior to his injury was batting .272 with six home runs and an .827 OPS as Boston’s first outfielder off the bench. The veteran has remained highly effective against left-handed pitching, posting a .905 OPS in 112 plate appearances. He also went 2-for-4 with a home run in Boston’s win Thursday over Baltimore.
