Red Sox Sign Sikkema, Invite Seven to Spring Training

The Boston Red Sox announced on Tuesday the signing of left-handed pitcher T.J. Sikkema to a minor league contract, along with invitations to major league spring training for him and six other non-roster players. Sikkema, a 27-year-old former first-round draft pick of the New York Yankees, joins the organization after two seasons in the Cincinnati Reds' minor league system, where he reached Triple-A for the first time last year.

Sikkema was selected 38th overall by the Yankees in the 2019 MLB Draft out of the University of Missouri. He progressed through their system before being traded to the Kansas City Royals in July 2022 as part of the deal that brought outfielder Andrew Benintendi to New York. With the Royals that season, Sikkema appeared in 34 relief outings, posting a 4-4 record and a 5.85 ERA. The Reds acquired him in December 2023 through the minor league phase of the Rule 5 Draft.

In 2024, Sikkema split time between High-A Dayton and Double-A Chattanooga, going 6-3 with a 3.61 ERA over 14 starts and six relief appearances, striking out 72 batters while walking 16. Promoted to Triple-A Louisville in late August 2025, he made four starts and one relief outing, finishing...