Left-handed pitcher Patrick Sandoval, who is currently recovering from Tommy John surgery, has agreed to a two-year, $18.25 million contract with the Boston Red Sox, according to MLB.com reporter Ian Browne. The deal, which was first reported by ESPN’s Jeff Passan, has not yet been officially confirmed by the Red Sox.
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Sandoval, 28, underwent UCL surgery last summer and is expected to remain sidelined until at least the second half of the 2025 season. Despite the setback, the Red Sox are optimistic about his long-term potential, adding a talented arm to their rotation once he returns to full health.
Sandoval’s journey to this point has been anything but typical. When the Los Angeles Angels acquired him from the Houston Astros in a trade for catcher Martín Maldonado in 2018, Sandoval wasn’t considered a major prospect. However, over the next few seasons, he developed into one of the Angels’ top starting pitchers, earning a spot as the team’s second-best starter behind Shohei Ohtani from 2021 to 2023.
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During that span, Sandoval posted a solid 3.53 ERA and struck out 373 batters in 380 1/3 innings, showcasing his ability to dominate opposing hitters with his excellent secondary pitches—a changeup and slider.
A Challenging Final Season with the Angels
While Sandoval showed significant promise during his earlier years with the Angels, his performance regressed in 2024, which ended with an ERA of 5.08 in 79 2/3 innings before he underwent elbow surgery. His ERA increased from 2.91 in 2022 to 4.11 in 2023, leading to his eventual non-tender by the Angels on November 22, making him a free agent.
Despite the ups and downs, Sandoval remains a promising talent, capable of bouncing back when fully healthy. With the Red Sox, he could provide a boost to their pitching staff, offering the potential for more as he regains his form.
Although Sandoval’s recovery timeline means he won’t be available for the Red Sox until late in the 2025 season, the team sees significant upside in the young pitcher. Once he returns to the mound, Sandoval has the potential to be a valuable asset to the rotation, capable of racking up strikeouts and contributing to the team’s success.
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