By Tiffany Williams –
The Red Sox reached into their own backyard for bullpen help, signing veteran reliever John Brebbia and assigning him to Worcester. The 35-year-old right-hander, born in Boston and a product of Sharon High School before finishing at Wellington High in Florida, is coming home after a winding big-league journey.
Brebbia broke in with the Cardinals in 2017, became a workhorse for the Giants from 2020–23, and even turned in a stellar 2022 campaign with a 3.18 ERA across 76 games. This season has been rockier. He opened the year in Detroit, posting a 7.71 ERA in 19 outings before being cut loose. Atlanta gave him a shot, and he impressed at Triple-A Gwinnett with a 1.89 ERA in 19 innings, but struggled in three appearances with the Braves and was designated for assignment earlier this month.
Now, after 376 career big-league games, 414 strikeouts, and a 16–22 record with a 4.04 ERA, Brebbia is back in New England, wearing Red Sox colors for the first time. For a pitcher who grew up 30 miles south of Fenway dreaming about the majors, it’s a full-circle moment.
The WooSox get him first, but if Brebbia finds his form, Boston fans could soon see a local arm running out of the Fenway bullpen.