Red Sox Southpaw Drake Britton Claimed Off Waivers by Cubs

By Jeff Pini

February 4, 2015

1 minute to read

Left-hander Drake Britton is headed to the Windy City, as the Chicago Cubs claimed the former Red Sox reliever off waivers on Wednesday. Michael Dwyer/AP

The Red Sox bullpen got a little lighter on Wednesday, as left-hander Drake Britton was claimed off waivers by the Chicago Cubs.

The 25-year-old has been in the Red Sox organization since he was drafted by the Sox in the 23d round of the 2007 draft. He made his major league debut on July 20, 2013, pitching one inning in a 5-2 loss to the New York Yankees.

Britton has spent most of his career in the Sox farm system, pitching 151 games – 101 of them starts. He became a full-time reliever in 2014, throwing 58.1 innings in 45 games with Triple-A Pawtucket, going 2-3 with an ERA of 5.86.

Britton made 25 big league appearances for the Sox over the past two seasons, holding a 2.93 ERA in 27.2 innings. He was designated for assignment on January 30.

If he makes the Cubs’ 25-man roster, Britton could become the third southpaw on Chicago’s pitching staff that played for the Red Sox in 2014, joining fellow left-handers Jon Lester and Felix Doubront.

The Sox added two arms to their big league bullpen over the past two weeks, trading Anthony Ranaudo to the Texas Rangers for lefty Robbie Ross and signing free agent right-hander Alexi Ogando.