Red Sox sign pitcher Taylor Cole to minor league deal with spring training invite

The Red Sox added a new arm to their mix, signing right-hander Taylor Cole to a minor league deal with a non-roster invite to spring training, the team announced on Wednesday.

The 32-year-old Cole hasn’t pitched in the big leagues since 2019, but has experience in the majors both starting and relieving. He may have emerged on the Red Sox’ radar this winter, as he posted a 2.08 ERA over 8 2/3 innings in the Dominican Winter League, his first action since pitching for the Angels in 2019. He had shoulder surgery in August 2020 and finally returned to the mound in the Dominican this winter.

Cole has a career 4.97 ERA in 57 major league appearances, including eight starts. He made one appearance — his MLB debut — for the Blue Jays in 2017, when he recorded his first career strikeout against Aaron Judge. But he went on the injured list with a broken toe the next day, leading to his eventual release. He signed with the Angels in 2018 and played two seasons with them before being designated for assignment in March 2020.

The Red Sox now have five non-roster invitees for spring training: Cole, pitchers Michael Feliz and Zack Kelly, and outfielders Rob Refsnyder and Christin Stewart.