Red Sox send Bernardino to Rockies amid flurry of moves
The Colorado Rockies bolstered their bullpen by acquiring left-hander Brennan Bernardino from the Boston Red Sox in exchange for minor-league outfielder Braiden Ward, the teams announced Tuesday.
Bernardino was a staple of Boston's bullpen for the last three seasons. In 2025, he posted a 3.14 ERA, 3.41 FIP, and 1.26 WHIP with 43 strikeouts, one save, and one home run allowed across 55 appearances, including three starts as an opener. However, his K/9 rate dropped to a career-worst 7.5, while his BB/9 spiked to 4.5.
Bernardino, who will turn 34 in January, missed most of September due to a lat strain and was left off the Red Sox postseason roster.
Despite his age, Bernardino comes to the Rockies with four years of team control remaining, giving them a reliable left-handed reliever for the foreseeable future. He's projected by MLB Trade Rumors to earn $1.1 million in 2026.
The trade marks the first major move for Colorado under new president of baseball operations Paul DePodesta, who was hired last week.
Ward, Colorado's 16th-round draft pick in 2021, wasn't ranked among the Rockies' top prospects before the trade. The 26-year-old hit .290/.395/.391 with two homers, 37 RBIs, and 57 steals across 97 total games split between Double-A Hartford and Triple-A Albuquerque last season while playing four different positions defensively.
The Bernardino trade was one of several deals swung by the Red Sox on Tuesday. Boston also sent left-hander Chris Murphy, who made 23 appearances last season after recovering from elbow surgery, to the Chicago White Sox in exchange for minor-league catcher Ronny Hernandez.
Earlier in the day, the Red Sox acquired infielder Tristan Gray from the Tampa Bay Rays for minor-league right-hander Luis Guerrero while designating first baseman Nathaniel Lowe for assignment. Boston also DFA'd right-hander Josh Winckowski.
Those moves helped the Red Sox open up four 40-man roster spots for Rule 5 Draft-eligible prospects ahead of Tuesday's protection deadline. Left-hander Shane Drohan, right-hander David Sandlin, and righty Tyler Uberstine were added to their 40-man roster.
Boston also landed catching prospect Luke Heyman in a minor deal with the Seattle Mariners for reliever Alex Hoppe.
Colorado, meanwhile, DFA'd first baseman Michael Toglia and left-hander Ryan Rolison after acquiring Bernardino. The Rockies also selected pitching prospects Welinton Herrera and Gabriel Hughes and outfielder Sterlin Thompson to the 40-man roster.