Joe La Sorsa Bio
Joseph Peter La Sorsa, born on April 29, 1998, is an American professional baseball pitcher who has built his career across several Major League Baseball (MLB) organizations. He currently plays for the Boston Red Sox after being traded to the team in June 2026, and he has previously pitched in MLB for the Tampa Bay Rays, Washington Nationals, and Cincinnati Reds. Originally selected by the Rays in the 19th round of the 2019 MLB draft, La Sorsa made his major league debut in 2023 and has continued to develop as a left-handed relief option. Standing as a familiar name across multiple minor league affiliates, he has built a reputation as a durable and adaptable arm.
Early Life and Background
Joseph Peter La Sorsa was born on April 29, 1998, in New Rochelle, New York. He grew up in the New York area and attended Iona Preparatory School, where he played for the school’s baseball team and developed his craft as a pitcher. During his senior year at Iona Prep, La Sorsa led the baseball program to the Catholic High School Athletic Association championship, an early sign of his competitive drive and leadership on the mound.
Following high school, La Sorsa enrolled at St. John’s University and joined the St. John’s Red Storm college baseball program. Over his college years, he worked to refine his mechanics and add velocity, eventually becoming a draft-eligible prospect. In the summer of 2018, he played collegiate summer baseball with the Harwich Mariners of the Cape Cod Baseball League, one of the most prestigious amateur leagues in the country. With the Mariners, he went 3-2 with a 5.79 ERA and contributed two innings of a combined no-hitter, valuable experience against top-level competition.
Path to Baseball
La Sorsa’s college trajectory on Long Island and his Cape Cod League exposure positioned him as a draft prospect heading into 2019. His performance with St. John’s and the Harwich Mariners helped him earn attention from MLB scouting departments, particularly as a left-handed pitcher with command and a competitive temperament. The Tampa Bay Rays, known for their development-first philosophy, used a 19th-round selection in the 2019 MLB draft to bring La Sorsa into their organization.
That selection marked his formal entry into professional baseball. He made his professional debut that same year with the Hudson Valley Renegades, the Rays’ short-season affiliate. His development was briefly interrupted when the 2020 minor league season was canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic, keeping him off the mound for an extended stretch before he could resume his rise through the minor leagues.
Joe La Sorsa Career
Early Career (2019–2022)
La Sorsa’s professional journey began in the Rays’ system, where he worked his way through the lower levels of the minor leagues after being drafted in 2019. After the lost 2020 season, he returned to competition and gradually built his resume as a steady relief option. In 2023, he was assigned to the Triple-A Durham Bulls, where he made nine appearances and posted a 3.86 earned run average, demonstrating readiness for a higher level of competition.
That same year, La Sorsa also represented the Italian national baseball team in the 2023 World Baseball Classic, a milestone that reflected his family heritage and added international experience to his resume. The combination of his Triple-A performance and his international exposure positioned him for his first major league opportunity.
Tampa Bay Rays (2023)
On May 28, 2023, the Rays selected La Sorsa’s contract and promoted him to the major leagues for the first time. He made his MLB debut the following day, pitching two scoreless innings with two strikeouts and a walk, an impressive opening chapter to his big-league career. He appeared in one additional game for Tampa Bay before being designated for assignment on June 3 following the activation of Shawn Armstrong from the injured list. His brief stint with the Rays showcased poise and marked his transition into MLB competition.
Washington Nationals (2023–2024)
On June 8, 2023, the Washington Nationals claimed La Sorsa off of waivers, and he soon joined their major league bullpen after four appearances for the Triple-A Rochester Red Wings. In 23 relief outings for Washington, La Sorsa recorded a 4.76 ERA with 25 strikeouts across 28⅓ innings pitched. At Triple-A Rochester, he posted a 4.26 ERA with 14 strikeouts in 12 games. He was removed from the 40-man roster and sent outright to Rochester on December 1.
La Sorsa began the 2024 campaign with Rochester and excelled, compiling a 2.25 ERA with 41 strikeouts across 42 relief appearances. On August 17, 2024, the Nationals selected his contract, adding him back to the active roster. In 16 games for Washington, he posted a 4.58 ERA with 14 strikeouts across 17⅔ innings pitched. On January 24, 2025, he was designated for assignment following the signing of Shinnosuke Ogasawara, and he was released by the organization on January 29.
Cincinnati Reds (2025)
On January 30, 2025, La Sorsa signed a minor league contract with the Cincinnati Reds and worked his way through their system. His contract was selected to the 40-man roster on June 3, and he was subsequently optioned to Triple-A Louisville. In five appearances for Cincinnati, he struggled to an 0-1 record and 10.80 ERA with two strikeouts across 6⅔ innings pitched. He was designated for assignment following the promotion of Reiver Sanmartín on September 2, and he elected free agency rather than accept an outright assignment to Louisville on September 5.
New York Mets (2025)
On September 6, 2025, La Sorsa signed a minor league contract with the New York Mets organization. He made four scoreless appearances for the Triple-A Syracuse Mets, recording three strikeouts in four innings of work. La Sorsa elected free agency following the season on November 6, wrapping a short but effective late-season stint in the Mets system.
Pittsburgh Pirates (2025)
On November 8, 2025, La Sorsa signed a minor league contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates and reported to Triple-A Indianapolis. He made 22 appearances, including two starts, compiling a 1-1 record and 3.46 ERA with 22 strikeouts over 26 innings of work. His performance in Indianapolis provided stability and kept him on the radar of major league clubs as the season progressed.
Boston Red Sox (2026–present)
On June 4, 2026, La Sorsa was traded to the Boston Red Sox in exchange for cash considerations, marking his return to an active MLB roster. The following day, Boston selected his contract, adding him to their active roster and reuniting him with the American League East. Through his early appearances in Boston, he has been used in a relief role as the Red Sox evaluate how he fits into their bullpen plans. His MLB statistics through early June 2026 include a 1-0 win-loss record, a 5.34 earned run average, and 45 strikeouts.
Notable Events and Milestones
La Sorsa’s career has included several signature moments, including his MLB debut with the Tampa Bay Rays on May 29, 2023, where he delivered two scoreless innings. He also represented Italy in the 2023 World Baseball Classic, a rare international honor for a pitcher at his stage of development. Across organizations, his ability to bounce back from designation and outright assignments has become a defining theme of his professional journey.
Joe La Sorsa Family
Personal Life
Joseph Peter La Sorsa was born and raised in New Rochelle, New York, and has maintained ties to the New York metropolitan area throughout his career. His family background includes Italian heritage, which he has celebrated by representing Italy in the 2023 World Baseball Classic. Outside of baseball, his professional social media presence has allowed fans to follow his journey across organizations, reflecting a player who embraces both his roots and the road that has carried him from Iona Prep to Major League Baseball.
2025 Season Performance
Joe La Sorsa’s 2025 season was defined by movement and resilience across three organizations. After being released by the Washington Nationals in late January, he signed a minor league deal with the Cincinnati Reds and reached the majors briefly in June before being designated for assignment in early September. He elected free agency rather than accept an outright assignment to Triple-A Louisville.
Shortly after, La Sorsa signed a minor league contract with the New York Mets on September 6 and made four scoreless appearances for the Triple-A Syracuse Mets, recording three strikeouts in four innings of work. After electing free agency on November 6, he signed a minor league contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates on November 8 and reported to Triple-A Indianapolis.
With Indianapolis, La Sorsa made 22 appearances including two starts, compiling a 1-1 record and 3.46 ERA with 22 strikeouts over 26 innings of work. His steady Triple-A performance served as a springboard into 2026, when the Boston Red Sox acquired him in a cash trade on June 4 and added him to their major league roster the next day.
