![\"Alec](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/IMG_4088.jpg\" "\\"Alec")
<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
Alec Gamboa pitches for the Boston Red Sox.<\/p>\n
Screenshot<\/p>\n
For the second this spring, former Madera High and Fresno City College standout Alec Gamboa<\/a> is back on the mound in Major League Baseball.<\/p>\n The Boston Red Sox recalled the left-handed pitcher from Triple-A Worcester on June 6, and he soon was making his second career big-league appearance.<\/p>\n Gamboa made the most of his opportunity June 8 against the Tampa Bay Rays. In short duty, he faced two batters and recorded two outs including a strikeout. Of his six pitches, five were strikes.<\/p>\n Gamboa\u2019s path to MLB has been anything but conventional \u2014 and it even took another turn following the impressive appearance last week as the Red Sox optioned him back to Worcester.<\/p>\n Now 29, he was selected by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the ninth round of the 2019 draft then progressed through the organization to Triple-A Oklahoma City.<\/p>\n But with the Dodgers\u2019 pitching staff already loaded with established starters and relievers, he was unable to break through onto the club\u2019s 40-man roster and never received a call-up to the majors (and never pitched at Dodger Stadium, where he attended games as a child cheering for his favorite team).<\/p>\n Seeking a new opportunity, Gamboa was granted a release after the 2024 season at Oklahoma City and he signed with the Lotte Giants of the Korea Baseball Organization.<\/p>\n The move proved to be a turning point.<\/p>\n In 2025, Gamboa enjoyed a strong season in South Korea, highlighted by a 5-0 record in June. He finished the year 7-8 with a 3.58<\/a> ERA and 117 strikeouts.<\/p>\n His performance caught the attention of the Red Sox, who signed him to a minor league contract in December 2025.<\/p>\n Gamboa made his MLB debut against the Detroit Tigers earlier this season, pitching a scoreless inning with two strikeouts in front of his emotional parents, who were in the stands.<\/p>\n I don\u2019t care what team you root for, when the camera pans to the family of a player making his MLB debut, it\u2019s incredible stuff every single time.<\/p>\n Alec Gamboa tossed a scoreless ninth inning for the Red Sox tonight, striking out two in his big league debut. pic.twitter.com\/iwndTWlbTG<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Chris Henrique (@ChrisHenrique) May 6, 2026<\/a> <\/p>\n Given his effectiveness in limited opportunities, it\u2019s likely Gamboa will receive another call-up at some point this season \u2014 moving players between Triple-A and the majors is part of the business.<\/p>\n After his latest stint with Boston, Gamboa reflected on his journey with a post on Instagram.<\/p>\n \u201cLiving the Dream #MADTOWN,\u201d he wrote.<\/p>\n Related Stories from Fresno Bee<\/p>\n Anthony Galaviz<\/a><\/p>\n The Fresno Bee<\/p>\n Anthony Galaviz writes about sports for The Fresno Bee. He covers the Las Vegas Raiders, high schools, boxing, MMA and junior colleges. He\u2019s been with The Bee since 1997 and attended Fresno City College before graduating from Fresno State with a major in journalism and a minor in criminology.
\n
\n <\/a><\/p>\n
\n Support my work with a digital subscription<\/a>
\n