Dodgers strike last-minute Opening Day trade with Red Sox to add pitching

ByEmma Lingan|
Boston Red Sox Photo Day
Boston Red Sox Photo Day | Kevin C. Cox/GettyImages

In the final hours leading up to their stateside Opening Day matchup against the Detroit Tigers, the Los Angeles Dodgers struck an out-of-nowhere trade with the Boston Red Sox.

In exchange for cash considerations, the Dodgers received right-handed pitcher Noah Davis. He will be added to Los Angeles' 40-man roster; but since the 26-man Opening Day roster has already been set, he will be optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City. In a corresponding move, the Dodgers placed right-hander Emmet Sheehan on the 60-day injured list to clear space for Davis on the 40-man.

Davis pitched in the Major Leagues for brief stints in each of the last three seasons, all with the Colorado Rockies. He pitched to an uninspiring 7.71 ERA with 43 strikeouts over 51 1/3 big league innings with Colorado before entering free agency and signing a minor league deal with Boston this past offseason. He attended Red Sox spring training this year as a non-roster invitee.

During his minor league career, Davis is 18-25 with a mildly better 5.75 ERA and 1.87 WHIP in 95 games (84 starts). The 27-year-old had nine strikeouts and allowed five runs across 9 1/3 innings pitched and yielded a 0.86 WHIP and .206 batting average against during four relief appearances in Grapefruit League games for the Red Sox this spring.

Dodgers acquire pitching depth in last-minute Opening Day trade with Red Sox

Davis made nine Major League appearances for the Rockies last season, allowing 13 runs in 20 1/3 innings with 15 strikeouts. It's likely that he will take on a swing role in Oklahoma City, and he could potentially be considered as a depth option for the Dodgers at the Major League level should the need arise. And it very well may, considering Sheehan is one of 11 Dodgers pitchers starting the 2025 season on the injured list.

Among Los Angeles' injured starters to begin the season are Sheehan, Gavin Stone, Clayton Kershaw, River Ryan, Tony Gonsolin and Kyle Hurt. Sheehan, Ryan and Hurt are all still recovering from Tommy John surgeries they underwent last summer. The hope is that the Dodgers will only have to use Davis in dire situations given his unimpressive track record.

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