MILWAUKEE — Jedixson Páez pitched in high Class A for the Boston Red Sox organization last year.
The Rule 5 draft selection found himself on a much larger stage Thursday, making his major-league debut against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field.
It was a timeline the right-hander never envisioned a year ago.
“That’s your goal, right, to make it to the majors,” Páez said through an interpreter before Thursday’s game. “But I didn’t think it would happen this fast.”
Páez allowed three runs on a Jake Bauers home run and two hits with two walks in 1 1/3 relief innings in his debut during the 14-2 loss to the Brewers.
“He got it under his belt, that’s the most important thing,” manager Will Venable said before Saturday’s game. “He looked like he belonged out there. I’m sure there were some nerves. His whole thing is throwing strikes, being aggressive in the zone. And I think he was a little erratic from what we’ve seen from him.
“But at the same time, he got it under his belt, he’s a big-leaguer officially now. So now, he just continues to build and grow. Expect the next time to be more aggressive in the zone.”
Thursday served as a beginning. And it capped an impressive rise.
Páez said receiving word that he had made the team was “incredible.”
“(Walking into the manager’s office), you know one of two things are going to happen, you’ve made the team or you didn’t,” Páez said. “You’ve been dreaming about this moment your whole life and when it happens, you can’t believe it.”
White Sox reliever Jedixson Páez tosses the ball to first base forcing out the Brewers’ Luis Rengifo during the sixth inning Thursday, March 26, 2026, in Milwaukee. Paez made his major-league debut. (Kayla Wolf/AP)
He got the news he always had wanted to hear.
Páez, 22, went 17-15 with a 3.22 ERA and 307 strikeouts in 307 2/3 innings over 73 appearances (58 starts) during five minor-league seasons in the Red Sox organization. He had a 2.79 ERA in seven starts for Greenville in 2025.
The White Sox selected him in the Rule 5 draft in December.
Páez allowed eight runs on 12 hits in 11 1/3 innings during seven Cactus League outings (two starts), but six of the runs came over 1 1/3 innings on March 5 against the Cleveland Guardians.
“I think I did a good job and they liked what they saw and that’s why I’m here,” Páez said.
Páez thought ‘wow’ when he walked into the visiting clubhouse in Milwaukee for the first time as a major-leaguer.
“But I think what excited me the most was when I walked on the field and I saw a big-league field,” he said. “It was incredible. I just was saying, ‘Wow.’”
Now comes the big-league challenge.
“I think that’s fair to worry about it for anybody, right?” Venable said Thursday of the jump from Class A to the big leagues. “And not just just A ball, but guys coming from the minor leagues, there’s a learning curve here. This is the big leagues, and they call it ‘The Show’ for a reason.
“It’s different, you know? It takes a special kind of guy, a special kind of mentality, a special skill set, but we believe he has it.”
Roster moves
The Sox activated pitcher Bryan Hudson and optioned pitcher Tyler Gilbert to Triple-A Charlotte ahead of Saturday’s game.
The Sox claimed Hudson off waivers from the New York Mets on Friday. The left-hander appeared in four games with the Sox last season after being claimed off waivers from the Brewers on Aug. 3.
“He did a nice job against righties, actually probably threw more strikes against righties than lefties, which was nice, so kind of a neutral arm out there from the left side, which is always good, to be able to get those righties out,” Venable said of Hudson. “Like his versatility. He can throw multiple innings, get lefties out, righties out, so it’s a good addition for us.”
Gilbert allowed two runs on two hits with one walk in one inning of relief work Thursday.
The Sox made a trade Saturday, sending infielder Curtis Mead to the Washington Nationals for minor-league catcher Boston Smith.
The Nationals selected Smith, 23, in the sixth round of the 2025 draft. He has not appeared in a minor-league game and will report to the Arizona Complex League White Sox. Mead was designated for assignment Wednesday.
The Sox also announced that catcher Korey Lee cleared waivers and was outrighted to Charlotte.
“We love Korey,” Venable said. “I was a little surprised that there wasn’t interest in him, but at the same time, it’s great to have him back. He’s someone that we trust and do believe in, and so to be able to retain him as depth in this organization is huge for us.”