5 things to know about new Red Sox pitcher Patrick Sandoval

The Red Sox have added another lefty to their rotation.

Patrick Sandoval has agreed to a two-year, $18.25 million contract to join the Red Sox, according to multiple reports. The 28-year-old left-hander will receive a salary of $5.5 million for the 2025 season and a salary of $12.75 million for the 2026 season, according to The Boston GlobeIt’s Alex Speier.

Sandoval joins the Red Sox after spending his entire MLB career with the Angels, who acquired him in a trade with the Astros in July 2018. Here are five things to know about the new Red Sox pitcher.

He just had Tommy John surgery.

Sandoval won’t be able to go when pitchers and catchers report to Fort Meyers in February or when the Red Sox travel to Texas for Opening Day on March 27. The left-hander underwent Tommy John surgery in June to repair a significant flexor tear and torn ulnar collateral ligament in his throwing arm.

The Angels did not provide a specific timetable for his recovery from surgery. However, the Red Sox expect him to return for the second half of the season, according to multiple reports.

This was the first time Sandoval had Tommy John surgery in his career. He also suffered a stress fracture in his lower back that ended his 2021 season prematurely.

He had a few solid seasons before struggling in 2024.

Sandoval appeared to be on the rise a few years after making his MLB debut, moving from the bullpen to the rotation during the first few months of the 2021 season. He went 3-6 with a 3.39 ERA, a WHIP of 1.180 and 86 strikeouts in 79 2/3 innings in 14 starts that year, taking a ninth-inning no-hitter bid in one of those departures.

After returning from a season-ending back injury in early 2021, Sandoval was even better in 2022. He went 6-9 with a 2.91 ERA, 1.339 WHIP and 151 strikeouts in 148 2/3 innings in 27 starts. A rough June hurt Sandoval’s numbers in 2023 (7.11 ERA in five starts), with a 4.11 ERA, 1.514 WHIP and 128 strikeouts in 144 2/3 innings over 28 starts this year -there.

Still, the 2023 season marked the end of a strong three-year stretch for Sandoval. He went 16-28 with a 3.53 ERA, 1.375 WHIP and 8.8 strikeouts per nine innings pitched. For reference, his strikeouts per nine over that three-year span would have ranked just outside the top 10 in the American League last season.

Although that streak earned Sandoval the honor of becoming the Angels’ Opening Day starter in 2024, he had a rough season before requiring Tommy John surgery. He went 2-8 with a 5.08 ERA, 1.506 WHIP and 81 strikeouts in 79 2/3 innings in 16 starts.

Two notable reasons why Sandoval’s number has climbed in the wrong direction in 2024. He began using his fastball more often early in the season, against which hitters had a .381 batting average and percentage. hitting .524.

Sandoval began giving up his fastball in May. But his advanced numbers suggest he was also a bit unlucky. He had a 3.87 FIP and a 4.25 expected ERA, both of which are significantly better than the 5.08 ERA he finished the year with.

Sandoval appeared to show some improvement in his last handful of starts, posting a 3.96 ERA in his final five outings of the 2024 season.

He has a six-pitch repertoire, and his changeup ranks among the best in baseball.

As previously mentioned, Sandoval’s fastball usage has declined significantly over the course of his MLB career. He went from 46.4 percent of his pitches in his 2019 debut to just 16 percent of his pitches in 2024, according to Baseball Savant.

Sandoval, however, found success with off-speed throws. His changeup has been among the best in baseball over the past few years, ranking fifth in zone whiff and chase rate, according to Thomas Nestico. Over the past two seasons, hitters have hit just .193 against Sandoval’s changeup.

Sandoval’s changeup was one of his two most frequently used throws over the past two seasons (28.3% of his throws in 2024). His cursor was the other. This pitch has been mostly effective, with hitters posting a .201 batting average against it in 2022. Over the past two seasons, opposing hitters have posted a better batting average against Sandoval’s slider (.266) , but he only allowed three home runs. his in 273 at-bats during that stretch.

In addition to his fastball, changeup, and slider, Sandoval also uses a curveball, sinker, and sweeper. He added the sweeper to his repertoire in 2023, using it for less than five percent of his throws.

He played for Mexico in the 2023 World Baseball Classic.

Since he spent his entire career with the Angels, Sandoval didn’t have many big moments on stage. But he shone on the international scene in 2023.

Sandoval was one of the best pitchers during the 2023 World Classic. Pitching for Mexico, he allowed one run on two hits and a strikeout in three innings in a game-winning victory over the United States. band. He started for Mexico in the semifinals against Japan, pitching 4 1/3 scoreless innings as he gave up four hits and struck out six.

Japan eventually secured a comeback with a victory over Mexico in the semifinals. But Sandoval’s Mexican team won the bronze medal game and he was one of three pitchers named to the All-World Baseball Classic team.

He’s arguably one of the most emotional pitchers on the mound, but he’s trying to work things out.

Sandoval hasn’t been shy about showing his feelings when he’s on the mound. In fact, then-Angels manager Phil Nevin said he pulled Sandoval from a game in 2023 because he believed his emotion was impacting his ability to pitch.