In a busy week for the Boston Red Sox, right-handed pitchers Isaiah Campbell and Bryan Mata have ultimately decided to stay within the organization. Both players were initially designated for assignment and then non-tendered by the club, removing them from the 40-man roster. However, sources confirmed late Friday that Campbell and Mata have re-signed with the Red Sox on minor league contracts, ensuring their presence in the upcoming major league spring training as non-roster invitees.

The Sox made the decision to designate Mata, once their top pitching prospect, and Campbell, who excelled in last year’s spring training following an offseason trade, on Tuesday. This maneuver was to make room for prospects Hunter Dobbins and Jhostynxon Garcia. By Friday, the team had non-tendered both pitchers, allowing them to become free agents while also losing left-handed reliever Bailey Horn to the Tigers on a waiver claim. Despite these moves, Boston remained keen on retaining Campbell and Mata and succeeded in securing new deals before they could explore free agency.

As for their future, there is a chance both Campbell and Mata might attract attention in December's Rule 5 draft. If not, the pitchers will likely compete for spots on the Opening Day roster in the spring. Should they not make it, they'll be key depth pieces at Triple-A Worcester.

Mata, a promising 25-year-old with a dynamic pitch mix, stands out among the two. Signed from Venezuela in January 2016, Mata spent four years on the 40-man roster but never made his major league debut. His journey was marred by recurring injuries and patches of inconsistent performance, leaving him without minor league options at the 2024 season’s start. Last year, he battled multiple injuries, managing only a 4.37 ERA over 22 ⅔ innings across four minor league levels, and has been limited to just 49 ⅔ innings in the minors over the past two seasons.

Campbell, who is 27, joined the Red Sox from Seattle in exchange for infielder Luis Urías during last year's non-tender deadline. He impressed in spring training and earned an Opening Day roster spot, starting the year with a 2.08 ERA in five outings. However, consecutive poor games against the Orioles and a right shoulder impingement sidelined him on April 12. He returned for one more major league appearance on June 24 but was otherwise limited to 16 ⅓ innings at Triple-A, where he posted a solid 2.20 ERA in total. His major league performance tallied a 16.20 ERA over 6 ⅔ innings.

As the Red Sox prepare for the new season, keeping these two pitchers provides valuable depth and potential future contributions to the team’s pitching staff.