Red Sox Sign Lefty Reliever Jesse Carlson
BOSTON (CBS) - The Boston Red Sox added another lefty to their bullpen, signing reliever Jesse Carlson on Thursday.
Carlson missed the entire 2011 season after undergoing rotator cuff surgery. He last pitched for the Toronto Blue Jays in 2010, compiling a 4.61 ERA in 13.2 innings over 20 games.
Carlson, who turns 31 at the end of the month, spend six seasons in the minors before breaking through for Toronto in 2008. He went 7-2 with a 2.25 ERA during his rookie year in 2008, striking out 55 in 60 innings over 69 appearances.
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For his career, Carlson is 8-8 with three saves. He has 33 career holds, with a 3.63 ERA.
He will compete for spot in the Boston bullpen, but can be sent to Triple-A Pawtucket if he does not make the major league roster. This could be a low risk, high reward move for the Boston bullpen, especially if Carlson can return to the form he showed as a rookie.
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Carlson is a former University of Connecticut standout and native of New Britain, Connecticut.
