While the Boston Red Sox continue to build up to the regular season, the club made a move to bolster its bullpen last week.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Boston agreed to a one-year Major League deal with left-handed reliever Danny Coulombe the team announced last Thursday.<\/p>\n
Coulombe, 36, has stamped himself as a reliable lefty reliever in the Majors for several years. The veteran southpaw enters 2026 with a 2.64 ERA in 188 games over the past five seasons, striking out more than one batter per inning during that span.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe knew it was a great fit even early on in the offseason. I\u2019m just glad we could make it happen,\u201d Coulombe said on Friday following the first bullpen workout with his new team.<\/p>\n
Coulombe was solid with the Twins last season, posting a 1.16 ERA in 40 appearances, before being dealt to the Rangers at the deadline. He struggled a bit with Texas, posting a 5.25 ERA in 15 games, but he finished the season with a 2.30 ERA and 43 strikeouts in 43 innings pitched.<\/p>\n
When asked how he\u2019ll be ramping up and what his workload will look like in Fort Myers, Coulombe said he\u2019s taking it day-by-day.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t want to give a number exactly, but I think that as long as we stay on track, we should be good to go,\u201d Coulombe said.<\/p>\n
Of the signing, Sox Manager Alex Cora said, \u201cGood job by the front office trying to add and make us better. Something that we recognized over the course of the offseason and here in camp. He had a great season last year. He\u2019s able to spin the ball. Avoids damage from the left side. Been there, done that. Happy with the way we went about it, and happy that he\u2019s here with us.\u201d<\/p>\n
Before the new addition, the Red Sox were slated to break camp with just two lefty relievers: closer Aroldis Chapman and Jovani Mor\u00e1n.<\/p>\n
\u201cHaving Danny here makes us better,\u201d Cora said. \u201cNot sure what we\u2019re going to decide as far as the roster. I know we\u2019re happy with the way Mor\u00e1n has thrown the ball during the [WBC]. I think we\u2019re better today than what we were yesterday.\u201d<\/p>\n
Coulombe, who said he enjoyed some extra time in the offseason with his kids, said the idea of playing in an iconic stadium is something he\u2019s looking forward to.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve always loved to pitch at Fenway,\u201d Coulombe said. \u201cThere\u2019s so much history there. I mean, it\u2019s Fenway Park. When this was an option, it was a no-brainer.\u201d<\/p>\n
Later on in the weekend, the Sox took on familiar foe in the Twins, coming out with a 7-2 win.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Returning from WBC action was outfielder Jaren Duran. The lefty who was impressive in the tournament went 1-for-3 at the plate, stole a bag and scored a run.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe hit the ball hard right away,\u201d Cora said. \u201cIt\u2019s good to have him here. Little by little we\u2019re getting everybody (from the WBC back). We\u2019ll take care of whoever we have to take care of.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Red Sox open the regular season on the road in Cincinnati next Thursday, March 26.\u00a0<\/p>\n