White Sox add righty Boggs to bullpen mix
Reliever pitched for Cardinals and Rockies during 2013 season
CHICAGO -- The White Sox have added Mitchell Boggs to their 2014 bullpen, signing the right-hander to a one-year, $1.1 million deal.
To make room for Boggs on the 40-man roster, Chicago outrighted right-handed pitcher Deunte Heath to Triple-A Charlotte. But Heath will attend Spring Training as a non-roster invitee.
Fox Sports first reported the Major League deal between the White Sox and the free-agent right-hander. Boggs, who turns 30 on the Feb. 15 date White Sox pitchers and catchers report to Spring Training, has a 4.12 ERA over 241 career games, with all but 15 coming as a reliever and all but nine coming with the Cardinals.
Boggs took over as Cardinals' closer at the start of the 2013 season for an injured Jason Motte, who eventually underwent Tommy John surgery. But Boggs had two blown saves in his first four tries and allowed 18 earned runs on 14 hits and 15 walks over 14 2/3 innings, while striking out just 11. He was traded to the Rockies in early July.
As a setup man in 2012, Boggs produced 34 holds and featured a 2.21 ERA over 78 games. He would join Ronald Belisario and Scott Downs as veteran relief additions made this offseason by White Sox general manager Rick Hahn.
Nate Jones still looks to be the clubhouse leader as new White Sox closer moving into Spring Training, with incumbent closer Addison Reed traded to Arizona in exchange for third baseman Matt Davidson. But Matt Lindstrom and Daniel Webb remain in the mix, with manager Robin Ventura stating at SoxFest last month that the White Sox might not name a closer until Opening Day, as they did with Hector Santiago in 2012.
Boggs' addition should fill out the bullpen, with Donnie Veal and Jake Petricka also in the mix.