Watson allowed three walks while striking out one over 2.1 hitless and scoreless innings in Saturday's 6-5 extra-innings loss to Cincinnati.
Watson, a Rule 5 pick, made his major-league debut in the sixth inning in a not so low-leverage situation. The Red Sox were trailing by two runs when the rookie entered with two outs and two runners on. After walking the first batter he faced, Watson twice thought he'd struck out Eugenio Suarez on called third strikes and walked off the mound, but both calls were challenged and overturned. The right-hander eventually gathered himself and got the slugger to ground out to second base before working scoreless seventh and eighth innings. Despite the tension surrounding Saturday's appearance, Watson is expected to remain in a low-leverage role.
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Red Sox's Ryan Watson: Emerges from camp with roster spot
Rotowire
The Red Sox informed Watson on Monday that he will be included on the Opening Day roster, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.
The 28-year-old righty won a spot in the Boston bullpen after submitting a 5.56 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 7:3 K:BB over 11.1 innings during the Grapefruit League. A Rule 5 Draft selection over the winter, Watson will need to be stashed on the major-league roster throughout the 2026 season, or else the Red Sox will have to offer him back to the Giants.
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Red Sox's Ryan Watson: Traded to Boston
Rotowire
The Athletics selected Watson with the sixth pick in the Rule 5 Draft on Wednesday and traded him to the Red Sox, per Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com.
A 28-year-old righty reliever from the Giants organization, Watson was originally drafted by the Orioles back in 2016 and he has never pitched in the big leagues. Last season, Watson logged a 4.26 ERA, 1.46 WHIP, 64 strikeouts, 16 walks and nine saves in 50.2 innings in the Pacific Coast League. The Red Sox will likely use the 6-foot-5 Watson in low-leverage situations if he makes the Opening Day roster.
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Giants' Ryan Watson: Traded to San Francisco
Rotowire
The Orioles traded Watson to the Giants on Friday in exchange for cash, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.
Watson has posted a 2.38 ERA and 0.97 WHIP through 22.2 total innings between the Orioles' Double-A and Triple-A affiliates this season. The 26-year-old righty will now likely report to Triple-A Sacramento upon joining his new organization, and he could be promoted to make his MLB debut later this season if he continues to impress in the minors.
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Orioles' Ryan Watson: Ready for spring debut
Rotowire
Watson (neck) is scheduled to appear in relief for the Orioles in Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Pirates, Rich Dubroff of BaltimoreBaseball.com reports.
Watson experienced neck tightness about two weeks ago and was briefly shut down as a result, but he's scheduled out fine during his subsequent bullpen sessions and live throwing sessions and will now make his spring debut. The 25-year-old right-hander is attending camp as a non-roster invitee and is likely to open the campaign at Triple-A Norfolk.
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Orioles' Ryan Watson: Resumes throwing
Rotowire
Watson said his neck is feeling better, and he has resumed throwing, Rich Dubroff of BaltimoreBaseball.com reports.
Watson missed his scheduled appearance Tuesday with neck soreness, but it doesn't seem to be an issue that will hold him out for long. The 25-year-old figures to get into game action before the end of spring training, and he will likely report to Triple-A Norfolk for the start of the season.
