Red Sox lose hard-throwing reliever on waivers after struggles, DFA

Jorge Alcala is on his way to St. Louis. (Photo by Natalie Reid/MLB Photos via Getty Images)MLB Photos via Getty Images

The Red Sox designated scuffling reliever Jorge Alcala for assignment Tuesday. Two days later, he’s on his way to a new organization.

The Cardinals claimed Alcala off waivers Thursday and added him to their roster, according to a club announcement. The 30-year-old could have been released or waived. Boston tried to pass him through the waiver cycle.

Alcala, acquired in a June 11 trade that sent minor leaguer Andy Lugo to the Twins, had a 3.31 ERA while allowing 19 hits, walking eight batters and striking out 18 in 19 games with the Red Sox. He had an 8.88 ERA in 22 games with the Twins before the trade. Alcala’s fastball has averaged 97.1 mph this year, good for the 89th percentile in MLB.

“The stuff was good. He wasn’t able to throw strikes,” said manager Alex Cora. “Good kid, good stuff. We’ll see what the future holds, but we needed to make a change.”

Alcala gave up just one earned run while striking out 13 batters in 13 innings (0.69 ERA) between June 17 to July 23 after arriving in Boston. He then hit the wall hard with a string of poor outings. In his last five games with Boston, he got just 10 outs (3 ⅓ innings) while allowing six runs (five earned) on eight hits while allowing four homers and issuing four walks. He allowed home runs to Vinnie Pasquantino and Maikel Garcia in his final appearance Monday night.

The Red Sox added reliever Isaiah Campbell to their roster Tuesday to replace Alcala. Boston has 39 players on its 40-man roster and eight others on the 60-day injured list.