MLB.com is reporting that the Red Sox have claimed right handed reliever Robert Manuel off waivers from the Seattle Mariners.
Manuel, 26, made his major league debut this season for the Cincinnati Reds, pitching 4.1 scoreless innings, allowing 5 hits, a walk, and striking out two. Most of his year was spent in AAA, where he posted a 2.88 ERA over 65.2 innings, recording 49 strikeouts and allowing 16 walks. This came after a breakout 2008 where he managed a 1.25 ERA over 86.2 innings, primarily in AA.
Since signing as an undrafted free agent in 2005, Manuel has a 2.88 career ERA (funny how numbers work out that way...) over 368.1 innings, with a career K:BB of 339:66. The high strikeout rates should help him in Fenway, and the low walk rates will help anywhere.
Manuel is likely to be a back-of-the-bullpen option, while the Red Sox see if they've found a bargain who can translate his good minor league performance into success in the majors.
Also mentioned in the article is that the Red Sox have finished their 40-man roster movements by adding Manuel.