Red Sox pitcher suffers setback during rehab assignment

The Boston Red Sox have had their fair share of injuries this year especially to their pitching staff this season with guys like Garrett Whitlock and Lucas Giolito missing the rest of the season and others missing time periodically.

One pitcher who was expected to compete for a role with Boston in 2024 who's dealt with injuries all year is Bryan Mata, who was on a rehab assignment after dealing with hamstring and lat issues.

Now, the Red Sox have announced that they have returned Mata from his rehab assignment with Triple-A Worcester (retroactive to July 15). He'll stay on the 15-day injured list after being removed from his last outing due to right elbow inflammation.

In 10 appearances this season across four different levels, Mata posted a 4.50 ERA and a 1.409 WHIP while striking out 18 batters over 22 innings of work. There was a chance that the 25-year-old would've gotten work in the majors this year out of the bullpen or as a spot starter, but he's yet to be healthy long enough for that time to happen.