BOSTON, MA – The Boston Red Sox today acquired right-handed pitcher Lucas Sims from the Cincinnati Reds, in exchange for minor league right-handed pitcher Ovis Portes.
To make room for Sims on the 40-Man Roster, the Red Sox designated left-handed pitcher Brandon Walter for assignment.
Sims, 30, has posted a 3.57 ERA (14 ER/35.1 IP) with 40 strikeouts and 20 walks in 43 games with the Reds this season. In his last 30 games (beginning May 10), the right-hander has recorded a 2.25 ERA (6 ER/24.0 IP), having allowed zero home runs in 14 outings since June 22. He ranks in Major League Baseball’s 95th percentile in average exit velocity (86.1 MPH), as well as the 74th percentile in strikeout rate (26.0%). Since the start of the 2019 season, Sims has held opponents to a .190 batting average, the Majors’ seventh-lowest mark among pitchers with at least 200.0 innings in that span. Originally selected by the Atlanta Braves in the first round (No. 21 overall) of the 2012 First-Year Player Draft, he is 22-17 with a 4.41 ERA (143 ER/292.0 IP) in 230 career games (14 starts) with the Braves (2017-18) and Reds (2018-24).
Portes, 19, signed with the Red Sox as an international free agent in March 2022. In 15 career games (nine starts) in the Dominican Summer League (2023) and Florida Complex League (2024) and with Single-A Salem (2024), the right-hander is 2-1 with a 3.29 ERA (14 ER/38.1 IP).
Walter, 27, was selected by Boston in the 26th round of the 2019 First-Year Player Draft. He made his Major League debut in 2023 but has missed the entire 2024 season due to injury. In 70 career minor league outings (43 starts), Walter is 15-13 with a 3.61 ERA (110 ER/274.1 IP).
