The Red Sox have released veteran utility man Danny Santana from his minor-league contract, per the club’s minor-league transactions log.
Santana, 31, signed a minors pact with Boston last month after serving an 80-game suspension for a positive PED test. Given that it was his first action of the season, the versatile switch-hitter reported to the Sox’ Florida Complex League affiliate in Fort Myers and batted .286/.400/.381 with two doubles, five RBIs, and three runs scored over seven games.
As noted by SoxProspects.com’s Chris Hatfield, the Red Sox brought in Santana at a time when their depth in the upper minors was depleted due to a combination of injuries and promotions. They have since bolstered that depth in the wake of the trade deadline, making Santana obsolete in a sense.
A veteran of eight major-league seasons, Santana appeared in 38 games for Boston over the course of the 2021 campaign. The native Dominican slashed just .181/.252/.345 with five home runs, 14 RBIs, 15 runs scored, and two stolen bases, but was still included in the Sox’ ALDS and ALCS rosters on account of his speed.
Shortly before Major League Baseball owners locked out the players in early December, Santana — who had already elected free agency — tested positive for Boldenone, which resulted in an 80-game suspension being handed down to him in April.
(Picture of Danny Santana: Adam Hunger/Getty Images)
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