Doug Fister Claimed off Waivers by Red Sox, Will Start Sunday vs. Angels

The Boston Red Sox announced Friday they claimed pitcher Doug Fister off waivers from the Los Angeles Angels, bringing their 40-man roster to a full 40. 

Ian Browne of MLB.com noted Fister will start Sunday's contest for the Red Sox against the Angels.

On Saturday, the Red Sox optioned Hector Velazquez to Triple-A Pawtucket and moved Brock Holt to the 60-day DL, per MLB Roster Moves. 

This comes after Fister signed with Los Angeles in May following an offseason where he was unable to land a deal.

He hasn't made an appearance in 2017, but he pitched for the Seattle Mariners, Detroit Tigers and Washington Nationals before 32 starts last year for the Houston Astros. The 33-year-old finished the 2016 campaign with a 4.64 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and 115 strikeouts in 180.1 innings, but he was more effective than the numbers indicate for the majority of the year.

According to ESPN.com, Fister posted an 11.74 ERA in six September appearances after entering the month with a solid 3.60 ERA, and the collapse surely contributed to his failure to land a deal in the offseason.

However, he has pitched more than 150 innings in six of his eight seasons, including 216.1 in 2011 for the Mariners and Tigers. If he pitches like he did last year before September, Fister can be an innings-eater for a Boston team looking to make a surge in the American League East and break the deadlock with the rival New York Yankees atop the division.