After going on a month-long rehab assignment across both Double-A (Portland Sea Dogs) and Triple-A (Worcester Red Sox), Boston Red Sox pitching prospect Bryan Mata remains on the 15-day injured list, according to MassLive’s Chris Cotillo. Originally, the right-hander had a lat issue. That changed in his last rehab outing, with Mata experiencing right elbow inflammation on Sunday. It is currently unclear when, or if, he will return in 2024.
From the Red Sox:
The Red Sox today returned RHP Bryan Mata from his injury rehab assignment with Triple-A Worcester, retroactive to Monday, July 15. He remains on the 15-Day Injured List. Mata was removed from Sunday’s game against Rochester due to right elbow inflammation.
— Chris Cotillo (@ChrisCotillo) July 19, 2024
Rehab Stalls For Bryan Mata Who Looks For MLB Call-Up
Mata was originally placed on the 15-day IL back in March with a right hamstring strain. He went on a rehab assignment in mid-May to build back from the injury. Mata threw three times and then suffered a lat injury. He was shut down for nearly a month until June 16, when he returned for his second rehab assignment of the year.
Mata pitched seven times from mid-June to mid-July with the Sea Dogs and WooSox. He had two rough outings, allowing two runs against the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders (Yankees Triple-A) on June 27 and three runs against the Rochester Red Wings (Nationals Triple-A) on July 10. In total, Mata posted a 3.00 ERA in just 15 innings of work, striking out 14 batters and walking seven.
WooSox pitcher Bryan Mata faces the minimum number of batters in his first inning of relief.
Mata is currently rehabbing and has a deadline of July 15 to either be called up to the Red Sox or be put on waivers.
Here is the righty inducing a pop out to end the top of the 8th. pic.twitter.com/Y3SdEFTrbp
— Tommy Cassell (@tommycassell44) July 6, 2024
It’s been a stressful last month for the former top prospect, who was trying to play himself onto an MLB roster for the first time in his career. After his last outing with Worcester on July 14, the Red Sox had three options concerning Mata: activate him to the big league Red Sox roster, designate him for assignment, or place him on the injured list. The latter choice was the course of action for the 25-year-old.
Mata’s Road To 2024
Originally signed as an international free agent in 2016, Mata ranked as high as fourth in Boston’s system on two separate occasions. Injuries have derailed his path to the major leagues, with Tommy John surgery causing the pitcher to miss all of 2021. He had the worst season of his professional career in 2023, posting a high 6.33 ERA in 27 innings. Mata entered 2024 as the 27th-best prospect in the Red Sox organization, according to MLB.com.
Photo Credit: © WooSox/Ashley Green / USA TODAY NETWORK
