The Boston Red Sox re-signed right-hander Bryan Mata (elbow, lat) to a minor-league deal on Friday, according to a source. Mata was designated for assignment earlier in the week and then non-tendered on Friday, but they quickly reached an agreement to bring him back. The 25-year-old Venezuelan hurler only appeared in 11 games (seven starts) in four different minor-league stops in 2024 due to his elbow and lat injuries. In 22 2/3 innings pitched, Mata had a 4.37 ERA, 1.41 WHIP, 20 strikeouts and nine walks in the Florida Complex League and at High-A Greenville, Double-A Portland and Triple-A Worcester. Mata will now look to put his injuries behind him while competing for a big-league roster spot in spring training in 2025. Most likely, he'll start at Worcester to begin the regular season.

Boston Red Sox right-hander Bryan Mata (elbow, lat) injured his right hamstring in spring training and started the season on the injured list. He went on four separate rehab assignments, but each of them ended with a setback, most of them arm-related. "He came out of his last one a little bit sore so we're back to, not step one, but we're running out of time," manager Alex Cora. "Pretty unlikely [he will pitch for Boston this season]." The hope was that Mata, who was once the team's top pitching prospect, would at least make his major-league debut in 2024, as the 25-year-old is out of options. It's been a frustrating year for the Venezuelan hurler as he tries to make his way to the big leagues for the first time. Mata pitched at four different levels of the minors in 2024 but threw only 22 2/3 innings over 11 outings (seven starts), giving up 12 runs (11 earned) while walking nine and fanning 20 hitters.

Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Bryan Mata has been optioned to Triple-A Worcester on Sunday. The 23-year-old looked fantastic during Grapefruit action this spring. He threw seven scoreless innings with a 1.00 WHIP and six strikeouts. The right-hander made his return to the mound last season after a lengthy absence due to Tommy John surgery. He posted a 2.49 ERA with 105 strikeouts and only five home runs allowed in 19 games (18 starts) between Double-A and Triple-A last season. It appears Mata is getting extremely close to making his big league debut. The expectation is that Mata will take the mound for the Red Sox at some point in 2023.

Boston Red Sox pitching prospect Bryan Mata (elbow) had an impressive outing in extended spring training action on Thursday. He threw two innings and struck out five batters while his fastball topped out at 100 mph. This was the first time that Mata faced live hitters from another organization since he underwent Tommy John surgery last spring. The 23-year-old is currently rated as the team's second-best pitching prospect and seventh overall prospect by MLB Pipeline. His last minor league exposure came in 2019, when he pitched to a 3.43 ERA and a 1.28 WHIP over 105 innings split between High-A and Double-A.