Red Sox acquire Richard Bleier from Miami Marlins

BOSTON, MA—The Boston Red Sox today acquired left-handed pitcher Richard Bleier from the Miami Marlins, in exchange for right-handed pitcher Matt Barnes and cash considerations.

To make room for Bleier on the 40-man roster, Boston designated right-handed pitcher Franklin German for assignment.

Chief Baseball Officer Chaim Bloom made the announcement.

Bleier, 35, recorded a 3.55 ERA (20 ER/50.2 IP) in 55 appearances (one start) for Miami in 2022, including a 2.30 ERA (8 ER/21.1 IP) over 31 outings from July 1 through the remainder of the season. From 2021-22, he walked only 3.6 percent of batters faced, the majors’ second-lowest rate (min. 100.0 IP) behind only Jacob deGrom (3.4%). The left-hander owns a 3.06 ERA (102 ER/299.2 IP) in 308 career appearances with the New York Yankees (2016), Baltimore Orioles (2017-20), and Marlins (2020-22), holding left-handed hitters to a .225 batting average (115-for-512). A Florida native, Bleier was selected by the Texas Rangers in the sixth round of the 2008 First-Year Player Draft out of Florida Gulf Coast University.

Barnes, 32, was designated for assignment on January 24. He made 44 appearances for the Red Sox in 2022, posting a 4.31 ERA (19 ER/39.2 IP) with eight saves. The right-hander owns a 4.07 ERA (195 ER/431.2 IP) with 47 saves and 547 strikeouts in 429 career appearances (two starts), all with Boston from 2014-22.

German, 25, made his Major League debut in 2022, making five relief appearances with Boston and allowing eight earned runs in 4.0 innings. The right-hander was named the organization’s 2022 Minor League Relief Pitcher of the Year after going 5-2 with seven saves, a 2.72 ERA (15 ER/49.2 IP), and a 0.91 WHIP in 43 appearances between Double-A Portland and Triple-A Worcester.

BOSTON RED SOX 40-MAN ROSTER (40)

Pitchers (21): Brayan Bello, Richard Bleier, Ryan Brasier, Kutter Crawford, Tanner Houck, Kenley Jansen, Zack Kelly, Corey Kluber, Chris Martin, Bryan Mata, Wyatt Mills, Chris Murphy, Kaleb Ort, James Paxton, Nick Pivetta, Joely Rodríguez, Chris Sale, John Schreiber, Brandon Walter, Garrett Whitlock, Josh Winckowski

Catchers (2): Reese McGuire, Connor Wong

Infielders (7): Triston Casas, Bobby Dalbec, Rafael Devers, David Hamilton, Adalberto Mondesi, Trevor Story, Justin Turner

Outfielders (6): Wilyer Abreu, Jarren Duran, Adam Duvall, Rob Refsnyder, Alex Verdugo, Masataka Yoshida

Infielder/Outfielders (4): Christian Arroyo, Kiké Hernández, Ceddanne Rafaela, Enmanuel Valdez