Red Sox add veteran reliever as part of non-roster invitees to spring training
The Boston Red Sox made a few minor moves on Friday. The team announced on X that they have added five new pitchers to the non-roster invitees for their 2025 spring training roster: Yovanny Cruz, Austin Adams, Noah Davis, Robert Stock, and Sean Newcomb.
The name that could spark the interest of some Red Sox fans is Newcomb, who signed a minor-league deal, per Chris Cotillo. Newcomb, a Brockton, Mass. native, was drafted out of college, No. 15 overall in the first round of the 2014 MLB draft to the Los Angeles Angels, making his major-league debut in 2017 with the Atlanta Braves.
Over his eight-year career, the 31-year-old has battled countless injuries and bounced between the majors and minors, but he has found some time at the big-league level. His major-league statistics are as follows: He’s pitched in 431 innings, amassing a 28-25 record over 175 games played, a 4.51 ERA, 438 strikeouts, and a WHIP of 1.47.

Newcomb pitched his first two years in the majors as a starter, starting 49-of-50 games he played in 2017 and 2018. Over that period, he earned a record of 16-18 with a 4.11 ERA and 268 strikeouts in 264 innings. He looked promising in his first year as primarily a reliever in 2019, recording 68.1 IP with a 3.16 ERA, and 65 strikeouts.
The bulk of Newcomb’s career (2020-2024), has been riddled with injury. He most recently underwent arthroscopic surgery on his knee in 2023, missing some of the 2024 season as a result. From 2020-24, Newcomb has only played in 70 games for 98.2 innings pitched, 6.80 ERA, and 105 strikeouts.
So, for the Red Sox, the move will likely be inconsequential on the results of the season, but Newcomb is an extra arm that could utilize his experience to earn himself a spot at the bottom of the big-league bullpen.