The Boston Red Sox lost some of their organizational pitching depth on Thursday when veteran relief pitcher Nick Burdi elected free agency.
Burdi, 32, joined the Red Sox in 2025 and spent most of the season at Triple-A Worcester, where he went 4-0 with a 2.83 ERA and 45 strikeouts in 35 innings over 31 appearances. He also closed a bit for Worcester, finishing 15 games and notching five saves.
The right-hander saw some action in the Major Leagues as well, making four appearances for Boston from May 16 to June 2. He did not allow a run in those outings, finishing the year with a 0.00 ERA and a 1.31 WHIP.
The Red Sox were the fourth Major League team that Burdi has pitched for along with the Pittsburgh Pirates, Chicago Cubs and New York Yankees. Originally drafted by the Minnesota Twins in 2014, he debuted with the Pirates in 2018 and pitched three seasons there.
Burdi signed with the San Diego Padres after the 2020 season but missed the entire 2021 and 2022 campaigns after undergoing his second Tommy John surgery. He returned with the Cubs in 2023 and pitched for the Yankees in 2024 before signing a Minor League deal with Boston in February.
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While he did not make the team out of camp, Burdi earned a promotion in mid-May with the Red Sox struggling to find their footing. Unfortunately, his season was derailed by injuries, as he suffered a foot injury in June before sustaining a hip injury as well, sending him to the 60-day injured list and knocking him off the 40-man roster.
Burdi was outrighted to Worcester in mid-August and did not return to Boston before the end of the season.
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Given the crowded nature of the Red Sox’s pitching staff, Burdi will seek a role elsewhere this offseason. Since he already has more than three years of Major League service team, he was able to choose Minor League free agency.
In 30 1/3 career MLB innings, he’s 3-2 with a 5.34 ERA, a 1.65 WHIP, 44 strikeouts and 21 walks.
