Boston says "no thanks" to rescinding Pomeranz trade

BOSTON -- Given the chance to rescind their July trade for pitcher Drew Pomeranz, the Boston Red Sox said no thanks, Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred said Sunday.

Once an MLB investigation confirmed that the San Diego Padres had, in fact, not fully disclosed Pomeranz's medical records, the Red Sox were asked if they wanted to send Pomeranz back and recoup top pitching prospect Anderson Espinoza. They declined, according to Manfred, because Pomeranz was healthy enough to pitch and the trade deadline had passed, leaving them unable to acquire another pitcher to take his place.

"We asked the Red Sox whether they were interested in rescinding the trade because that is the normal remedy, that is what they always do," Manfred said. "Their response to that was they were not interested, and I understand why. The trade deadline had passed and options had been foreclosed. And I also understand that a rescission rule in that particular context is a little difficult to manage. The alternative equally bad, in my view."

Once the Red Sox decided to keep Pomeranz, Manfred ruled on a 30-day suspension without pay for Padres general manager A.J. Preller but elected not to compensate the Red Sox. According to Manfred, the league is "not institutionally capable of deciding who would have traded what for what."

"It's just something that the institution can't do," Manfred said. "That's why we have the rescission [option] in the first place."

The Red Sox have not commented on the situation. It's believed the Padres didn't disclose Pomeranz's use of anti-inflammatory medication as treatment for his elbow.

Boston wasn't the only team to take issue with the Padres withholding medical information. MLB rescinded part of a deal between the Miami Marlins and the Padres, sending pitcher Colin Rea back to the Padres after he was injured in his first start with the Marlins.