Former Red Sox First-Round Pick Non-Tendered After Suspension Reinstatement

A former top Boston Red Sox prospect can return to the mound, but he’ll need a new home.

On Thursday, year-long suspensions ended for four players. Jay Groome, Michael Kelly, José Rodríguez, and Andrew Saalfrank are all eligible for reinstatement after serving their bans for betting on baseball games.

However, the San Diego Padres aren’t welcoming back Groome.

According to The Athletic’s Dennis Lin and San Diego Union-Tribune’s Jeff Sanders , the Padres plan to non-tender Groome. The 26-year-old is out of minor league options.

Boston drafted Groome with the No. 12 pick in 2016. The 6-foot-6 southpaw entered the 2017 season as a top-50 prospect on MLB.com, Baseball America, and Baseball Prospectus.

Yet Groome didn’t live up to the lofty hype. He posted a 5.69 ERA in 14 starts tha