Copyright newsweek
Boston Red Sox prospect Matt Donlan retired from professional baseball this offseason, per his transaction log on MiLB.com. Donlan was placed on the Voluntary Retired List last week, bringing an end to his professional playing career. More news: Ghost Runner in the Playoffs? Dodgers, Blue Jays Managers Have Different Answers MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – MAY 27: A picture of the Boston Red Sox hat and a Wilson glove before the game against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field on May 27, 2025 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images) Donlan attended Stonehill College and University of Connecticut before going undrafted and signing with Boston as a minor league free agent in 2022. He played in Single-A in 2022, going 4-for-27 with an OPS of .435. In 2023, Donlan appeared in three games in High-A and 10 in Double-A, hitting .200 with an OPS of .635. Then, in 2024, he played in 16 games in Double-A, hitting .146 with an OPS of .514. Donlan was mainly a catcher while also spending some time at first base. However, he decided to make a transition to pitching in 2024. Donlan made two pitching appearances in relief, throwing two scoreless innings while allowing one hit and three walks. While both of them were mop-up appearances to save the bullpen, the team saw some things to be excited about. “He’d come in on the mound, we liked what we saw,” Portland Sea Dogs manager Chad Epperson said at the time. “He had an interest in doing it, so we made the transition.” Unfortunately, after a couple months, Donlan injured his UCL and underwent Tommy John surgery. Donlan ended the 2024 season on the 60-day injured list. At the start of the 2025 season, he was placed on the full-season injured list. As of June, it appeared Donlan was ready to return and continue his quest as a pitcher. “It’s been a blast so far, even though I had surgery,” Donlan said in June. “The rehab process has been incredibly unique. Although it stinks, it’s been as cool as it can be to try to start from ground zero. I’ve never pitched before, so I’ve truly spent the past nine months building a foundation from, literally, ground zero. Which I think will turn out to be the best thing for me once I’m live and throwing games.” It’s unclear what happened over the last few months to lead to Donlan retiring. Overall, Donlan appeared in 37 games at the minor league level as a catcher/first baseman slashing .165/.313/.223 with seven runs batted in and an OPS of .536. He made just the two pitching appearances in mop-up duty. More news: Shohei Ohtani Passes Lou Gehrig to Make MLB History in World Series For all the latest MLB news and rumors, head over to Newsweek Sports.
