Red Sox Shakeup: Greg Weissert Sent Down, Worcester's Raymond Burgos Called Up

In the aftermath of a thrilling 13-inning win against the Atlanta Braves on Thursday, the Boston Red Sox faced a daunting task: bolstering their shorthanded bullpen. With all eight relievers utilized across 10 innings, the team called upon Triple-A Worcester to bolster their ranks. One such move saw reliever Greg Weissert, a stalwart of their bullpen over the past two seasons, reassigned to the minor leagues. Weissert, who has been the team's leader in appearances this season, accumulated a respectable 3.46 ERA since the start of July. However, Weissert's departure had little to do with his performance and more to do with the Sox's pressing needs. The decision to demote Weissert, who has maintained a solid 3.97 ERA in 48 games this year, was made to free up a roster spot for a rested arm. In this instance, that arm belonged to left-hander Raymond Burgos, who was summoned from Triple-A Worcester to serve as a long reliever. Burgos, a 27-year-old signing from the Mexican League in May, brought a much-needed presence to the bullpen's depleted ranks. In his first major league appearance since being signed, Burgos made a promising impression by securing the save in the Red Sox's 13-1 rout of the Oakland Athletics on Friday. Pitching three perfect innings, he struck out two vital batters, solidifying his role in the team's bullpen. Weissert, on the other hand, was replaced by Burgos for at least the time being, and will likely be reassigned to Worcester until further notice. "It's imperative that we have an arm that's got 90 to 100 pitches if you need it, because we're thin, obviously," interim manager Chad Tracy explained. "That's not a conversation you want to have with anybody after a game like that. Sometimes, it's just necessary." Tracy's candid assessment highlighted the Sox's pressing need for a reliable bullpen asset. With their depleted roster, they required an arm that could handle heavy workloads, and Burgos proved to be a valuable addition in this regard. The move to call up Burgos has also been seen as a nod to his performance in the minor leagues, where he accumulated a 5.63 ERA in 15 games with Worcester. His lone major league appearance came with the Giants in 2024, and since then, he has shown considerable growth in his craft. Interim manager Tracy acknowledged Burgos's value by stating, "He's got a good arm, and he's been throwing the ball well." This move demonstrates the Sox's commitment to supporting their minor league affiliates and fostering growth within their organization. The decision to send Weissert to Worcester is not a reflection on his performance. Rather, it has been necessitated by the Sox's immediate needs, particularly in the bullpen. Weissert has been bumped down the depth chart with the emergence of Tyron Guerrero and the addition of Erik Miller, two talented arms who have bolstered the team's bullpen. Weissert's departure will likely be temporary, and we can expect him to return to the major leagues when the roster is more fully populated. When asked about Weissert's departure, interim manager Tracy stated, "No matter the situation, when you call somebody in to have that conversation, they're not thrilled with it. He's a pro. Very similar to other ones. He shook hands when he left, and he's not thrilled with it. But that's to be expected. You don't expect anybody to be really happy about that." Tracy showed empathy for Weissert's situation, acknowledging that demotions can be difficult to accept. On Tuesday, the Sox sent down Romy Gonzalez, a key member of their 2025 playoff-qualifying team, to make room for outfielder Eli White. Gonzalez played first base and went 0 for 3 with a walk in the WooSox's 5-4 win over Lehigh Valley. His demotion serves as a reminder that roster moves are often made in the best interest of the team, even if it may not be an easy pill for players to swallow. Additionally, the Red Sox signed 27-year-old right-hander John Brebbia, a veteran of nine major league seasons, and assigned him to Worcester. Brebbia, who has experience pitching in various roles, will likely provide valuable support to their minor league affiliate. In related news, the Angels claimed right-hander Ryan Watson off waivers from the Red Sox, who had designated him for assignment on Tuesday. Watson's departure, alongside that of Weissert, highlights the Sox's ongoing efforts to bolster their roster. As the Red Sox continue to navigate their busy schedule, they will be relying on talented arms like Burgos to provide critical support in the bullpen. With their immediate-term needs being addressed, they can begin to look forward to a more promising future. Despite the challenges presented by this season, the Sox remain committed to their mission of winning and will be working tirelessly to improve their chances in the coming weeks. The team's commitment to rebuilding and growth is evident in their recent roster moves. With players like Gonzalez and Weissert being reassigned to the minor leagues, they are giving valuable experience to young talent while also addressing their immediate needs. The future looks bright for the Red Sox, and fans can expect to see more exciting developments in the coming weeks. In recent news, catcher Adley Rutschman will play for the WooSox on Saturday, and it is expected that he will catch about five innings and receive two or three at-bats. Rutschman has been on the injured list since July 20 with left wrist inflammation. When asked if Rutschman would be available to return to the Red Sox on Monday in Toronto, interim manager Tracy stated, "I have no idea." Rutschman's rehabilitation will continue, and fans can expect to see him back on the field when his medical team deems it safe. The Red Sox are also keeping a close eye on injured player Roman Anthony, who has been diagnosed with a sprained right wrist/hand. Anthony has made progress, advancing to hitting off a pitching machine, which is a step up from hitting with a coach. "We'll let him do that for a bit and see how his hand responds," interim manager Tracy said. Willson Contreras, who was absent from the lineup for a second game in a row, was back at Fenway Park and reportedly feeling "a little better." The diminishment of Contreras's sense of humor is not among his symptoms... The Boston Red Sox signed Sharon native John Brebbia and assigned him to Worcester. Brebbia, 36, is a veteran of nine major league seasons... During batting practice, Garrett Whitlock spent time hosting his friend Donnie Wahlberg. Elite workout attire for Anthony Seigler includes a Nike shirt, complete with the iconic slogan, "Just Do It," and a large image of backup infielder Tsung-Che Cheng. Seigler shared that he saw Cheng, sponsored by Nike's Taiwan arm, wearing the shirt and asked for one... Finally, David Forst will not return as the general manager of the Athletics, who have announced that the two parties have mutually agreed to part ways. Assistant general manager Dan Feinstein will take over as interim GM for the rest of the season as the team searches for a permanent replacement.