BOSTON, MA—The Boston Red Sox today signed left-handed pitcher Jake Diekman to a two-year contract through the 2023 season with a club option for 2024. To make room for Diekman on the 40-man roster, the club placed left-handed pitcher James Paxton on the 60-day injured list.

The Red Sox’ 40-man roster is now at 40.

Chief Baseball Officer Chaim Bloom made the announcement.

Diekman, 35, posted a 3.86 ERA (26 ER/60.2 IP) with a career-high seven saves in 67 relief appearances for the Oakland A’s in 2021. He ranked 10th among American League relievers last season in strikeouts (83), recording more strikeouts than innings pitched for the 10th time in his 10 major league seasons. The left-hander has recorded 58 holds since the beginning of 2019, tied for the most in the majors during that time. Diekman recorded a 2.96 ERA (27 ER/82.0 IP) over the last two seasons, allowing only two runs in 2020 for a 0.42 ERA (1 ER/21.1 IP) in 21 appearances.

A native of Wymore, NE, Diekman was originally selected by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 30th round of the 2007 June Draft out of Cloud County Community College. He has posted a 3.73 ERA (189 ER/456.0 IP) with 11.47 strikeouts per nine innings pitched (581 strikeouts) in 529 relief appearances for the Phillies (2012-15), Texas Rangers (2015-18), Arizona Diamondbacks (2018), Kansas City Royals (2019), and A’s (2019-21). He has made at least 60 appearances six times during his career, and at least 70 appearances three times. Since the start of 2018, Diekman ranks sixth in the majors in appearances (235), the second-most among left-handed pitchers. He owns a 4.50 ERA (6 ER/12.0 IP) in 13 Postseason outings, most recently appearing in 2020.

Diekman was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis at the age of 10. He and his wife, Amanda, are the founders of the Gut It Out Foundation, which supports organizations and efforts dedicated to improving the quality of life for those in the IBD community.

Paxton, 33, is 57-33 with a 3.59 ERA (301 ER/754.2 IP) in 137 career starts for the Seattle Mariners (2013-18, ’21) and New York Yankees (2019-20). In 2021, he made one start for the Mariners before undergoing Tommy John surgery on April 13 and missing the remainder of the season. He posted a sub-4.00 ERA in each of his first seven major league seasons (2013-19), including a 2.98 ERA (45 ER/136.0 IP) over 24 starts for Seattle in 2017.

BOSTON RED SOX 40-MAN ROSTER (40)

Pitchers (23): Matt Barnes, Eduard Bazardo, Brayan Bello, Ryan Brasier, Kutter Crawford, Austin Davis, Jake Diekman, Nathan Eovaldi, Jay Groome, Darwinzon Hernandez, Rich Hill, Tanner Houck, Bryan Mata, Nick Pivetta, Chris Sale, Hirokazu Sawamura, Connor Seabold, Matt Strahm, Josh Taylor, Phillips Valdez, Michael Wacha, Garrett Whitlock, Josh Winckowski

Catchers (4): Ronaldo Hernández, Kevin Plawecki, Christian Vázquez, Connor Wong

Infielders (7): Jonathan Araúz, Christian Arroyo, Xander Bogaerts, Bobby Dalbec, Rafael Devers, Jeter Downs, Hudson Potts

Outfielders (5): Jackie Bradley Jr., Jarren Duran, J.D. Martinez, Jeisson Rosario, Alex Verdugo

Infielder/Outfielders (1): Kiké Hernández

60-DAY INJURED LIST (1)

Pitchers (1): James Paxton