Ryan Watson
Breakdown
Performance
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March 29, 2026
Memorable MLB debut
Watson allowed three walks while striking out one over 2.1 hitless and scoreless innings in Saturday's 6-5 extra-innings loss to Cincinnati.
Analysis
Watson, a Rule 5 pick, made his major-league debut in the sixth inning in not-so low-leverage situation. The Red Sox were trailing by two runs when the rookie entered with two outs and two runners on. After walking the first batter faced, Watson twice thought he'd struck out Eugenio Suarez on called third strikes and walked off the mound, but both calls were challenged and overturned. The right-hander eventually gathered himself and got the slugger on a groundout to second base. He then threw scoreless seventh and eighth innings. Despite the tension surrounding Saturday's appearance, Watson is expected to pitch in low-leverage middle-relief situations.
March 23, 2026
Emerges from camp with roster spot
The Red Sox informed Watson on Monday that he will be included on the Opening Day roster, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.
Analysis
The 28-year-old righty won a spot in the Boston bullpen after submitting a 5.56 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 7:3 K:BB over 11.1 innings during the Grapefruit League. A Rule 5 Draft selection over the winter, Watson will need to be stashed on the major-league roster throughout the 2026 season, or else the Red Sox will have to offer him back to the Giants.
