For the first time since 2017 there are three Boilers on Major League Baseball active rosters at the same time. There is even potential for a fourth if all things go right, something that has never happened at the same time as far as I know. Cameron Perkins has had a cup of coffee in The Show and has signed a minor league deal with the Astros. He is expected to head to triple-A, so a midseason call-up is always possible. There is also a special category for Jordan Comadena. He is the bullpen catcher for the Pirates. This is not an active roster position. He cannot enter a game, but he serves an important role getting pitchers ready day-in and day-out.
Here is who made the opening day rosters:
Josh Lindblom - RHP - Milwaukee Brewers - Lindblom is in year two of a three-year deal with Milwaukee and he is expected to split time between the bullpen and as a starter. He has had quite the career, spending time with the Dodgers, Phillies, Rangers, and A’s from 2011-14. He then went over to Korea and spent much of his career there (with a brief 2017 stint with the Pirates) before returning last season with the Brewers. His 2019 season in Korea saw him be named league MVP as he went 20-3 with a 2.50 ERA. That got him a 3-year, $9 million contract with Milwaukee. For his career he is 7-12 in the majors with a 4.33 ERA and 1 save.
Nick Wittgren - RHP - Cleveland Indians - Wittgren signed a one-year, $2 million deal this offseason tis tay with Cleveland, where he has been a key member of the bullpen. He even made his first career postseason appearance last year against the Yankees in the Wild Card round. IN parts of 5 seasons in the show with Miami and Cleveland he is 16-6 with a 3.36 ERA in 198 appearances, all out of the bullpen. He also has four saves.
Kevin Plawecki - C - Boston Red Sox - Plawecki is coming off of a great year where he batted .341 with 1 HR and 17 RBI in 24 games of the 60 game season. He even made a pitching appearance, issuing a walk in 2⁄3 of an inning. Unfortunately, the Red Sox were awful. They did give him a $1.6 million contract for this season to avoid arbitration. For his career he is hitting .229 with 18 HR and 109 RBI with the Mets, Indians, and Red Sox. He was also on base and scored during the greatest moment in MLB history when Bartolo Colon homered.