The Boston Red Sox have signed right-handed pitcher to a minor league deal, according to Francys Romero. Top star hinted at the agreement on social media before reports confirmed the signing.
Once a highly regarded prospect in the Dodgers’ system, his career has been hampered by injuries, preventing him from securing a consistent major league role. He has pitched in parts of six MLB seasons across four teams but has never logged more than 20 innings in a single year. His last major league action came with the Twins in 2023, where he posted a 4.67 ERA in 17 1/3 innings, striking out 17 batters while issuing five walks.
That season was cut short in June when De León underwent Tommy John surgery for the second time in his career, five years after his first procedure. The injury sidelined him for the entire 2024 season, and he was removed from Minnesota’s 40-man roster in the offseason. After spending last year as a free agent, De León made his return to competitive play in Puerto Rican winter ball, where he caught the attention of Boston’s evaluators.
He is expected to start the 2025 season with Triple-A Worcester. Despite struggling in his brief MLB opportunities—posting a 7.44 ERA over 65 1/3 innings—De León has found more success in the minors, carrying a solid 3.44 ERA over 199 Triple-A innings across six seasons.