Richie Lentz retires

SoxProspects.com has learned that Red Sox righthander Richie Lentz retired earlier this week due to a nagging shoulder injury. A Red Sox official confirmed. Lentz, 25, was a well-regarded bullpen prospect with a mid-90s fastball, ranked #42 among Red Sox prospects upon his retirement after peaking at #22 in February 2009. He spent much of 2009 on-and-off the disabled list and on rehab assignment with the same shoulder injury, and ultimately stuggled through his 2009 campaign, going 1-0 with a 6.75 ERA and a 1.83 WHIP in 29 appearances with Double-A Portland. That followed an excellent 2008 season in which the reliever went 5-5 with a 3.14 ERA, a 1.25 WHIP, and 112 strikeouts in 77.1 innings between Lancaster and Portland. Over his career, the 2005 19th round draft pick went 8-6 with a 4.19 ERA, a 1.50 WHIP, and 238 strikeouts in 176 innings over 113 appearances. Lentz' retirement leaves an opening in the Portland bullpen for 2010, and the pitchers seemingly battling for that spot include Chad Rhoades, Miguel Gonzalez, and Kelvin Pichardo. Other pitchers that could be pushing for a spot on the Sea Dogs' staff when camp breaks next month include Ryne Lawson, Travis Beazley, Robert Coello, and Seth Garrison.

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