As MLB spring trainings got going last month, it was surprising that veteran left-handed reliever Danny Coulombe was still a free agent. There were a handful of teams that could use another left-handed arm in their bullpen, including the Boston Red Sox.
Boston Chief Baseball Officer Craig Breslow made multiple additions to his roster this offseason, from starting pitching to some key infielders. There were not many additions made to the bullpen, but there was no doubt that they needed another left-handed arm.
The 2026 season is less than two weeks away. Coulombe didn’t know if he would have a job this season. That was until Breslow and the Red Sox came calling. After the one-year, $1 million signing was official, manager Alex Cora didn’t mince words about the new addition to his bullpen.
Boston Red Sox Manager Alex Cora Doesn’t Mince Words About Danny Coulombe
It was only a matter of time before the Red Sox added a left-hander for Cora in the bullpen. They took advantage of Coulombe still being available. The 36-year-old has several pitches he throws for strikes: a cutter, a four-seam fastball, and a sinker. He can throw a mix it up with a knuckle-curve and a sweeper. When it comes to Coulombe’s arsenal of pitches, Cora didn’t beat around the bush, according to Tim Healey of the Boston Globe.
“The kitchen sink,” Cora said. “He’s a guy that had a great season last year. He’s able to spin the ball, avoids damage from the left side. Been there, done that. So, happy with the way we went about it, and happy that he’s here with us.”
A lot of people were surprised that Coulombe was still available after the 2025 campaign he had. Combined with the Minnesota Twins and Texas Rangers, he had a 2.30 ERA in 43 innings with 43 strikeouts and a career-high 1.4 WAR.
Danny Coulombe Provides the Boston Red Sox With a Needed Option in the Bullpen in 2026
Currently, Cora has Aroldis Chapman as his closer, while Jovani Morán is the only other left-handed option. Coulombe is a left-handed specialist who made 55 appearances last season. A savvy veteran, he understands his role in Boston this summer.
“You have to have weapons against the righthanders,” Coulombe said. “Especially because there’s so many pinch hitters . . . I feel like throughout the years I’ve learned what makes me good. And part of it is I can get righties out and be tough on righties. So, I think that’s where a lot of value is.”
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