Dodgers capitalize on Red Sox's Rafael Devers roster crunch with pitching trade

The Dodgers-Red Sox pipeline continues ...
Boston Red Sox v New York Yankees
Boston Red Sox v New York Yankees | Luke Hales/GettyImages

After the Los Angeles Dodgers had a man nobody's ever heard of in Jack Little pitch for them on Thursday night in a close game against the San Diego Padres, it was clear yet again that they needed help on the pitching depth front.

On Friday, the Dodgers traded for Red Sox pitcher Zach Penrod, who was designated for assignment this week. The left-hander succumbed to Boston's roster crunch after the Rafael Devers trade when pitchers Jordan Hicks and Kyle Harrison were added to the 40-man roster.

Penrod doesn't have a lengthy MLB resume to his name, but he provides unique versatility with experience in the rotation and bullpen across his 102 1/3 innings in the minor leagues. That's something the Dodgers want right now as they need pitchers to help them get across the finish line of games with all of the injuries they are dealing with.

The Dodgers are reportedly trading cash to the Red Sox in exchange for the 28-year-old Penrod, who has three options remaining.

Dodgers acquire Zach Penrod in trade with Red Sox after Rafael Devers deal

Some Red Sox fans were not thrilled about Penrod getting the axe after the trade with the San Francisco Giants. Though he only appeared in seven games for Boston over the last two seasons, he brought a nice change-of-pace approach to Boston's pitching staff. Even if he was falling down the depth chart, as some Red Sox beat writers said, it still didn't seem wise to ditch somebody who had minor league options.

And in yet another incident of the Red Sox failing to "read the room", Penrod was kicked off the roster the day before his birthday. This organization really can't get anything right ever since they won the 2018 World Series.

Penrod was limited at the onset of 2025 due to elbow inflammation, but the rookie rebounded to log 7 1/3 innings in the minors as he was working his way back to the MLB roster. Stay tuned for updates, but for now we can assume Penrod will join Triple-A OKC and be called upon rather soon when the Dodgers need the assistance.