Bleier retired from professional baseball Saturday.
Bleier made stops in New York, Baltimore, Miami and Boston during his eight-year tenure in the big leagues from 2016 to 2023. He attempted to make one last run at the majors with the Nationals in 2024, but he opted out of his minor-league deal in May and wasn't picked up by another team. He'll now end his career with a 3.27 ERA and 1.22 WHIP as well as a 187:54 K:BB over 330.1 innings.
... See More... See Less
Nationals' Richard Bleier: Opts out of Nationals contract
Rotowire
Bleier opted out of his minor-league contract with the Nationals on Tuesday, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.
The Nationals will have two days to add Bleier to the major-league roster or give him his release. Bleier holds a 4.32 ERA and 10:2 K:BB over 16.2 innings this season with Triple-A Rochester.
... See More... See Less
Nationals' Richard Bleier: Signs MiLB deal with Nationals
Rotowire
Bleier signed a minor-league contract with the Nationals on Thursday, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.
Bleier logged a 5.28 ERA and 1.37 WHIP across 30.2 innings with the Red Sox last season before being designated for assignment in August. The 36-year-old southpaw will likely head to Triple-A Rochester to begin 2024.
... See More... See Less
Cubs' Richard Bleier: Inks minors deal with CHC
Rotowire
Bleier signed a minor-league contract Thursday with the Cubs, Patrick Mooney of The Athletic reports.
Bleier has quickly found a new home after being released by the Red Sox last week. The veteran lefty reliever had struggled to a 5.28 ERA in 30.2 innings this season with Boston, but his career ERA sits at 3.27. He'll report to Triple-A Iowa for now.
... See More... See Less
Richard Bleier: Cut loose after clearing waivers
Rotowire
Bleier was released by the Red Sox on Wednesday, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.
Bleier passed through waivers unclaimed after Boston designated him for assignment and is now free to latch on with another organization. The left-handed reliever has been shaky this season and has never missed many bats, but past success should earn him another chance somewhere.
... See More... See Less
Red Sox's Richard Bleier: Pushed off 40-man roster
Rotowire
The Red Sox designated Bleier for assignment on Monday.
The 36-year-old has had a rocky August, allowing four runs in four innings of relief. In a corresponding move, the Red Sox selected right-hander Dinelson Lamet from Triple-A Worcester.
... See More... See Less
Red Sox's Richard Bleier: Activated from injured list
Rotowire
Bleier (shoulder) was activated from the 15-day injured list Monday, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.
Bleier's recovery from a shoulder issue went slower than expected, but he's ready to go now after making four scoreless rehab appearances. He'll give the Red Sox yet another lefty in the bullpen.
... See More... See Less
Red Sox's Richard Bleier: Starting rehab assignment
Rotowire
Bleier (shoulder) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Worcester on Wednesday, Mac Cerullo of the Boston Herald reports.
Bleier's progress from left shoulder inflammation has been slow, but he's finally ready to test things out in game action. He's been out since late May, so the reliever figures to require multiple rehab appearances.
... See More... See Less
Red Sox's Richard Bleier: Throwing off mound
Rotowire
Bleier (shoulder) tossed a bullpen session Tuesday, Mac Cerullo of the Boston Herald reports.
Bleier suffered a setback earlier this month in his recovery from a bout of left shoulder inflammation, but he's on the right track now and could return to the Red Sox around the middle of July. The lefty reliever was originally placed on the 15-day injured list May 22.
... See More... See Less
Red Sox's Richard Bleier: Slow progress with shoulder
Rotowire
Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Thursday that Bleier (shoulder) is not progressing as quickly as hoped in his recovery, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.
Bleier resumed throwing early last week, but he's apparently hit a snag in his buildup from a bout of left shoulder inflammation. The veteran reliever went on the injured list May 22, and there is currently no timetable for his return.
... See More... See Less
Red Sox's Richard Bleier: Resumes throwing
Rotowire
Bleier (shoulder) began throwing again Tuesday, Mac Cerullo of the Boston Herald reports.
Bleier landed on the 15-day injured list May 22 due to inflammation in his left shoulder and is now throwing roughly a week later. There is still no timeline for when the 36-year-old lefty might return, but a better idea may come after a few more throwing sessions.
... See More... See Less
Red Sox's Richard Bleier: Lands on 15-day injured list
Rotowire
Bleier was placed on the 15-day injured list by the Red Sox on Monday with left shoulder inflammation, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.
Bleier pitched Sunday in San Diego after not making an appearance for nearly a week, so it's possible the shoulder has been bothering him since a 40-pitch outing back on May 15. It's unclear how long he might be out.
Red Sox's Richard Bleier: Nibbled to death Thursday
Rotowire
Bleier allowed four runs on four hits and hit a batter over one-third of an inning in Thursday's 9-3 loss to the Rays.
Bleier had a nightmarish outing Thursday, as just one of the four hits off him were deemed "hard hit." The most ignominious of all was a two-out, bases loaded suicide squeeze (40.3 mph) by Manuel Margot that didn't produce an out and extended the inning for Harold Ramirez's three-run double (87.5 mph). The left-hander has allowed six runs and nine hits over 4.1 innings and sports a 12.46 ERA with a counterintuitive 2.93 FIP.
... See More... See Less
Red Sox's Richard Bleier: Pitches scoreless inning
Rotowire
Bleier allowed one hit and one walk over a scoreless eighth inning during Wednesday's 4-1 loss to Pittsburgh.
Boston's bullpen has been taxed through the first week of the season, and Bleier made his third appearance in six games. The left-hander has made two consecutive scoreless appearances after allowing a pair of runs in his season debut.
... See More... See Less
Red Sox's Richard Bleier: Heads to Boston
Rotowire
The Red Sox acquired Bleier from the Marlins on Monday in exchange for Matt Barnes and cash, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.
Bleier made 55 appearances for the Marlins in 2022 and turned in a 3.55 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and 32:10 K:BB over 50.2 innings. With Boston recently dealing away Josh Taylor, the addition of Bleier gives the Red Sox a much-needed lefty arm in the bullpen. Bleier could be a factor in the middle innings or as a setup man for the Red Sox in 2023, but he's unlikely to see many save opportunities.
Bleier (1-1) picked up the win in Sunday's extra-inning victory over the Mets, tossing a perfect ninth inning without a walk or a strikeout.
The southpaw fired 11 of 14 pitches for strikes to preserve a scoreless tie, and Bleier got rewarded when the Marlins scored the game's only runs in the top of the 10th. The 35-year-old has been pitching better over the last month or so, posting a 3.48 ERA and 1.35 WHIP over his last 10.1 innings despite a lackluster 6:2 K:BB, but he's unlikely to move into a consistent high-leverage role any time soon.
