Red Sox, Sterling Sharp Agree To Minor League Deal

The Red Sox have re-signed righty Sterling Sharp to a minor league contract, according to Chris Hilburn-Trenkle of Baseball America. The 27-year-old had spent the tail end of the 2022 campaign in the Boston organization as well.

Sharp, a 22nd-round draftee of the Nationals in 2016, got to the big leagues in 2020 as a Rule 5 pick of the Marlins. He made four appearances out of the Miami bullpen, allowing seven runs through 5 1/3 innings. The Marlins designated him for assignment before season’s end, relinquishing his Rule 5 rights in the process. After clearing waivers, he was returned to the Nationals without occupying a spot on the 40-man roster.

The Michigan native remained in the Washington farm system through the middle of last year. He had a tough go with Triple-A Rochester, pitching to a 6.62 ERA across 66 2/3 innings. The Nats released him in August but he quickly caught on with Boston. The Sox sent him to Double-A Portland, where he closed out the season well. Through seven starts with the Sea Dogs, he pitched to a 3.18 ERA with a decent 22% strikeout percentage and 45.3% grounder rate.

That earned Sharp another look in the Boston organization, as he returns after a brief first trip to minor league free agency. He’ll serve as rotation depth in the upper minors and could get a look with Triple-A Worcester after his solid finish in Double-A. Sharp still has a full slate of option years remaining, meaning the Sox could move him between Boston and the upper minors for the foreseeable future if he earns a spot on the 40-man roster.