Red Sox Sign Coulombe to 1-Year Deal, Place González on IL

The Boston Red Sox addressed a key weakness in their bullpen on Thursday by signing veteran left-handed reliever Danny Coulombe to a one-year contract worth $1 million, while placing utility infielder Romy González on the 60-day injured list following shoulder surgery.

Coulombe, a 36-year-old with 11 seasons of major league experience, fills a glaring gap for the Red Sox, who entered spring training with just one established left-handed reliever in closer Aroldis Chapman. The team had lost four southpaws from the previous season's roster: Brennan Bernardino was traded to the Colorado Rockies, Steven Matz signed with the Tampa Bay Rays as a free agent, Justin Wilson was not re-signed and is considering retirement, and Chris Murphy was dealt to the Chicago White Sox. Chief baseball officer Craig Breslow, a former left-handed reliever himself, had expressed confidence in internal options earlier in camp, stating, "We continue to explore opportunities. We also feel good about the group we have." With just two weeks remaining before the Red Sox open the season on the road against the Cincinnati Reds, the addition of Coulombe provides immediate depth.