Red Sox add bullpen help with trade for Lucas Sims

For the third time in the last week, the Boston Red Sox have made a trade for a pitcher. And this time, it’s a reliever.

The Red Sox announced Monday afternoon that they have acquired right-handed reliever Lucas Sims from the Cincinnati Reds in exchange for minor-league pitcher Ovis Portes.

To make room for Sims on the 40-man roster, the Red Sox have designated pitcher Brandon Walter for assignment.

Sims, 30, has a 1-4 record in 43 appearances this season with a 3.57 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 40 strikeouts in 35.1 innings. In his last 30 games (since May 10), he has a 2.25 ERA in 24 innings, having allowed zero home runs in 14 outings since June 22. He ranks in MLB’s 95th percentile in average exit velocity (86.1 MPH), as well as the 74th percentile in strikeout rate (26.0%).

The Red Sox were in desperate need of a reliever given their struggles of late. In the month of July, they have a 6.39 bullpen ERA and have blown eight leads in the seventh inning or later, contributing to a 3-7 record since the All-Star break.

Portes, 19, is 0-1 with a 3.43 ERA in seven appearances (five starts) for Single-A Salem this season. SoxProspects.com had him ranked as the 29th-best prospect in the organization.

Walter, 27, has not pitched this season due to a shoulder strain suffered in March. He was on the 60-day injured list for Triple-A Worcester.