Red Sox claim right-handed pitcher Alex Speas off waivers from Houston Astros

BOSTON, MA—The Boston Red Sox today claimed right-handed pitcher Alex Speas off waivers from the Houston Astros and optioned him to Triple-A Worcester. The Red Sox’ 40-Man Roster is now at 40.

Speas, 26, has pitched in four Major League games with the Texas Rangers (2023) and Astros (2024), allowing four runs in 4.0 innings with six strikeouts and six walks. His lone appearance with the Astros came on May 31 against the Minnesota Twins, when he gave up one run in 2.0 innings with two strikeouts, one walk, and two hits allowed. He has pitched in 21 minor league games this season—all at the Triple-A level—in the Astros, Chicago White Sox, and Oakland A’s organizations, averaging 12.88 strikeouts per 9.0 innings with a 10.38 ERA (25 ER/21.2 IP). Selected by Texas in the second round of the 2016 First-Year Player Draft, Speas is a native of Powder Springs, GA.