Tag: roster moves

Red Sox place Christian Arroyo on 10-day injured list, recall Michael Chavis from Triple-A Worcester

Before wrapping up a three-game series against the Rays in Tampa Bay on Thursday night, the Red Sox placed infielder Christian Arroyo on the 10-day injured list due to a right knee contusion.

In a corresponding move, infielder/outfielder Michael Chavis was recalled from Triple-A Worcester, the team announced earlier Thursday afternoon.

Chavis will bat leadoff for the Sox in Thursday’s series finale at Tropicana Field.

Arroyo’s stint on the injured list was backdated to June 21, so the earliest he could be activated is next Thursday, July 1.

The 26-year-old suffered a right shin bone bruise in the fifth inning of this past Sunday’s loss to the Royals in Kansas City after colliding with center fielder Enrique Hernandez.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora had been optimistic that Arroyo would be able to return to the lineup at some point this week, even saying on Wednesday that the team “still believe[s] it’s not an IL situation.”

Alas, that will not be the case, as Boston will be without Arroyo for at least the next seven days, if not longer.

In his first full season with the Sox, the right-handed hitting infielder is slashing a solid .264/.324/.432 with nine doubles, four home runs, 19 RBI, 17 runs scored, five walks, 38 strikeouts, and one stolen base over 41 games (138 plate appearances) while seeing the majority of his playing time come at second base.

Back in May, Arroyo sustained a left hand contusion after getting hit by a pitch that resulted in him missing a little more than three weeks of action while spending 16 days on the injured list.

That stint on the IL required a rehab assignment with the WooSox, so it should be interesting to see if this latest one will as well.

Chavis, meanwhile, is up with the Red Sox for the fourth time this season already.

The 25-year-old’s most-recent spell began on June 14, when right-hander Ryan Weber was designated for assignment, and ended on June 16, when righty reliever Yacksel Rios was added to the major-league roster.

In those three days with the Sox, Chavis did not see any playing time.

With Boston this season, the right-handed hitter has gone 9-for-33 (.273) at the plate with four doubles, one homer, two RBI, seven runs scored, zero walks, and 13 strikeouts over the course of 11 games.

With Worcester, he is hitting .263/.327/.474 to go along with two doubles, six home runs, 17 RBI, 19 runs scored, eight walks, 30 strikeouts, and one stolen base in 24 games, though he has been swinging a hotter bat (.979 OPS) in the month of June.

(Picture of Michael Chavis: Photo by Mark Goldman/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Red Sox call up top catching prospect Connor Wong from Triple-A Worcester, place Kevin Plawecki on injured list with left hamstring strain

Before opening up a three-game series against the Rays in Tampa Bay on Tuesday night, the Red Sox placed backup catcher Kevin Plawecki on the 10-day injured list with a left hamstring strain.

In a corresponding move, catching prospect Connor Wong has been called up from Triple-A Worcester, the team announced earlier Tuesday afternoon.

Plawecki suffered a hamstring strain in the third inning of Sunday’s loss to the Royals after chasing down an errant throw from center fielder Enrique Hernandez.

The 30-year-old backstop was able to remain in the game for the remainder of the inning, but was pinch-hit for by Christian Vazquez in Boston’s half of the fourth before later being diagnosed with left hamstring tightness.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora did make it seem as though Plawecki could be headed towards a stint on the injured list when speaking with reporters following Sunday’s contest, and that winds up being the case.

Since his stay on the IL was backdated to Monday, the earliest Plawecki could be activated is Thursday, July 1, when the Sox are slated to take on the Royals at Fenway Park.

As of this moment, the amount of time Plawecki will need to miss while recovering from his hamstring injury is unknown.

Wong, meanwhile, is one of three players the Red Sox acquired from the Dodgers last February in the blockbuster trade that sent Mookie Betts and David Price to Los Angeles.

A former third-round pick of the Dodgers out of the University of Houston in 2017, the 25-year-old opened the 2021 minor-league season with Triple-A Worcester as the No. 2 catching prospect in Boston’s farm system according to Baseball America.

Due to a hamstring injury, however, Wong has been limited to just 16 games with the WooSox thus far and has posted a .148/.188/.245 slash line to go along with three doubles, one home run, seven RBI, five runs scored, three walks, and 19 strikeouts over his first 64 plate appearances at the Triple-A level. He has also spent some time on the Sox’ taxi squad.

Outside of Vazquez and Plawecki, the 6-foot-1, 181 pound backstop is one of two catchers on Boston’s 40-man roster alongside fellow prospect Ronaldo Hernandez, who is currently at Double-A Portland.

Because of this, it would appear that the Red Sox ultimately opted to go with Wong as opposed to a veteran with big-league experience — such as Chris Herrmann or Jett Bandy — in place of Plawecki so they would not need to make any additional room on their 40-man roster.

The expectation seems to be that Wong will be up with the Sox only for as long as Plawecki is on the injured list.

MassLive.com’s Chris Cotillo was the first to report that the Red Sox would be calling up Wong and placing Plawecki on the IL.

(Picture of Connor Wong: Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

Red Sox lose Ryan Weber on waivers to Brewers

Former Red Sox right-hander Ryan Weber has been claimed off waivers by the Brewers, the team announced earlier Wednesday afternoon.

Weber, 30, was designated for assignment by Boston on Monday, one day after getting lit up for 11 runs on 13 hits — four of which were home runs — two walks, and seven strikeouts over 5 2/3 innings of relief in Sunday’s 18-4 loss to the Blue Jays at Fenway Park, which was also his 2021 debut.

Designating Weber for assignment allowed the Red Sox to both recall infielder Michael Chavis from Triple-A Worcester to take his spot on the 26-man roster as well as acquire righty reliever Yacksel Rios from the Mariners to take his spot on the 40-man roster.

Chavis has since been optioned back down to the WooSox, while Rios will be activated by Boston ahead of Wednesday’s series finale against the Braves in Atlanta.

In parts of three seasons with the Red Sox (2019-2021), Weber posted a 5.54 ERA, a 5.27 FIP, and strikeout-to-walk ratio of 63:24 over 36 appearances (eight starts) spanning 89 1/3 total innings of work.

He was certainly far more effective as a reliever than as a starter during his tenure with Boston, Sunday’s outing notwithstanding.

While he does join the Brewers’ 40-man roster, Weber has been assigned to Milwaukee’s Triple-A affiliate in Nashville.

On that note, it should be added that the Red Sox now have full 26-man and 40-man rosters, as MassLive.com’s Chris Cotillo pointed out here.

(Picture of Ryan Weber: Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images)

Red Sox activate Yacksel Ríos, option Michael Chavis to Triple-A Worcester

Before wrapping up a quick two-game series against the Braves in Atlanta on Wednesday, the Red Sox activated right-hander Yacksel Rios.

In order to make room for Rios on the 26-man roster, the Sox also optioned infielder/outfielder Michael Chavis to Triple-A Worcester, according to MassLive.com’s Chris Cotillo.

UPDATE: The Red Sox have made it official.

Rios, who turns 28 later this month, was acquired from the Mariners in exchange for cash considerations on Monday. Boston was able to add him to their 40-man roster since they had just designated fellow right-hander Ryan Weber for assignment.

In three relief appearances for Seattle — all of which came in June — Rios allowed a total of three earned runs on five hits, two walks, and one hit batsman to go along with two strikeouts over three total innings of work.

The Mariners designated the 27-year-old hurler for assignment on June 11, and it took all of three days for him to land with a new team.

Like Red Sox manager Alex Cora, Rios — a converted third baseman — hails from Caguas Puerto Rico. He was originally selected by the Phillies in the 12th round of the 2011 amateur draft out of Doctora Conchita Cuevas High School in Gurabo.

After making his major-league debut for the Phillies in 2017, Rios was claimed off waivers by the Pirates during the 2019 season and has also spent time with the Rays and Mariners organizations.

For his big-league career, Rios owns a lifetime 6.47 ERA and 5.54 FIP over 69 appearances and 72 1/3 total innings pitched between Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and Seattle dating back to August 2017.

This year alone, as previously mentioned, Rios appeared in three games for the Mariners earlier this month. Before that, he put up a solid 0.66 ERA across 12 outings (13 2/3 innings pitched) with Triple-A Durham (Rays affiliate) to begin the 2021 minor-league campaign prior to getting dealt to the M’s for cash on June 4.

Listed at 6-foot-3 and 220 pounds, Rios operates with a five-pitch mix that consists of a sinker, a four-seam fastball, a slider, a split-finger fastball, and a rarely used curveball, per Baseball Savant.

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Michael Chavis, meanwhile, will be optioned back down to Triple-A Worcester after not appearing in a game in his third stint of the season with Boston.

The 25-year-old was initially called up from the WooSox on Monday as part of a series of moves that saw Ryan Weber get designated for assignment, but wound up finding no playing time as an additional position player on the roster for the two games he was up.

As he returns to Worcester, Chavis carries with him a .263/.329/.408 slash line with two doubles, three home runs, 12 RBI, 14 runs scored, and one stolen base over 19 games (85 plate appearances) for the WooSox thus far.

(Picture of Yacksel Rios: Andy Lewis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Red Sox outright Brandon Brennan to Triple-A Worcester after reliever clears waivers

Just three days after designating him for assignment, the Red Sox have outrighted right-handed reliever Brandon Brennan to Triple-A Worcester, the team announced prior to Wednesday’s game against the Braves.

Brennan, who turns 30 next month, was initially called up from Worcester last Thursday so that Boston could add a fresh arm to its heavily-used bullpen.

In his lone appearance with the big-league club, Brennan tossed three scoreless innings of relief while allowing three hits and two walks to go along with one strikeout when working in relief of Nick Pivetta in Saturday’s 7-2 loss to the Blue Jays at Fenway Park.

Because he worked three innings on Saturday, the 6-foot-4 hurler essentially became unavailable for the remaining two games of that series with Toronto, which led the Sox to designate him for assignment in order to add fellow righty Ryan Weber to their 40-man roster on Sunday.

Weber, as you may recall, got lit up for 11 runs over 5 2/3 innings in his season debut, and he, too, was designated for assignment earlier this week so that Boston could add recently-acquired reliever Yacksel Rios to the 40-man.

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While he does have minor-league options remaining, Brennan winds up clearing waivers and remaining within the Red Sox organization.

Boston originally claimed the California native off waivers from the Mariners in early May and subsequently optioned him to Triple-A Worcester.

In eight appearances out of the WooSox bullpen thus far, Brennan has posted a 2.16 ERA and 1.32 WHIP over 8 1/3 total innings pitched.

(Picture of Brandon Brennan: Omar Rawlings/Getty Images)

Red Sox acquire right-hander Yacksel Rios from Mariners, add him to 40-man roster

The Red Sox have acquired right-handed reliever Yacksel Rios from the Seattle Mariners in exchange for cash considerations, the team announced before Monday’s game against the Toronto Blue Jays.

Rios, who turns 28 later this month, will be added to Boston’s 40-man roster after the club designated fellow righty Ryan Weber for assignment to create an opening on its major-league roster for Michael Chavis earlier Monday afternoon.

Per MassLive.com’s Chris Cotillo, “it appears Rios may take Chavis’ active roster spot when he is ready to join the team.”

The 27-year-old hurler allowed an earned run in each of his three appearances out of Seattle’s bullpen this month before he, too, was designated for assignment on June 11 despite having a minor-league option remaining.

A former 12th-round draft pick of the Phillies back in 2011, Rios made his major-league debut for Philadelphia during the 2017 campaign.

Since then, the 6-foot-3 hurler has made a total of 69 appearances in parts of four big-league seasons between the Phillies, Pirates, and Mariners. He owns an ERA of 6.47, a FIP of of 4.82, and a strikeout-to-walk ratio of 70:36 in those outings dating back to August 2017.

After being let go by Pittsburgh over the winter, Rios inked a minor-league pact with the Rays in February, though his time in Tampa Bay did not last long considering the fact he was dealt to the Mariners for cash considerations on June 4.

With that being said, Rios’ tenure in Seattle lasted all of a week.

Per Baseball Savant, Rios works with a sinker, a four-seam fastball, a slider, a split-finger fastball, and a rarely used curveball.

A native of Puerto Rico, Rios — a former catcher — hails from the same home town as Red Sox manager Alex Cora in Caguas.

(Picture of Yacksel Rios: Joe Sargent/Getty Images)

Red Sox recall Michael Chavis from Triple-A Worcester, designate Ryan Weber for assignment

Before wrapping up their four-game series against the Blue Jays at Fenway Park on Monday night, the Red Sox recalled infielder Michael Chavis from Triple-A Worcester.

In a corresponding move, right-hander Ryan Weber was designated for assignment in order to make room for Chavis on the Sox’ 26-man roster, Sox manager Alex Cora announced.

Chavis will be called up to Boston for the third time this season, most recently spending a little more than two weeks with the big-league club last month.

In the 10 games he got into during that stretch, the 25-year-old slashed .273/.273/.485 with four doubles, one home run, two RBI, six runs scored, zero walks, and 13 strikeouts over 33 plate appearances while primarily playing second base.

With Triple-A Worcester, Chavis has put up similar numbers, albeit over a larger sample size.

Narrowing it down to just what he has done since being optioned on May 24, the right-handed hitter owns a slash line of .275/.338/.420 (104 wRC+) to go along with one double, three homers, 12 runs driven in, 13 runs scored, six walks, 21 strikeouts, and one stolen base over his last 17 games (69 plate appearances) for the WooSox.

Weber, meanwhile, was designated for assignment one day after being selected from Worcester and getting absolutely shelled in his 2021 debut against Toronto on Sunday.

Working in relief of starter Martin Perez, the 30-year-old hurler surrendered a whopping 11 runs — all of which were earned — on 13 hits, two walks, seven strikeouts, and four home runs over 5 2/3 innings pitched.

The Red Sox will have the next seven days to either trade, release, or waive Weber.

Assuming he goes unclaimed on waivers, it seems likely that the veteran righy would be outrighted back to Worcester, where he put up a 4.63 ERA in seven outings (six starts) and 35 innings pitched this year prior to getting promoted over the weekend.

It should be noted that the move to designate Weber also opens up a spot on Boston’s 40-man roster, so that may be something to monitor in the coming days.

(Picture of Michael Chavis: Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images)

Red Sox select Ryan Weber, designate Brandon Brennan for assignment

Before taking on the Blue Jays in the third game of a four-game series at Fenway Park on Sunday afternoon, the Red Sox selected the contract of right-hander Ryan Weber from Triple-A Worcester and added him to the major-league roster.

In a corresponding move, fellow right-hander Brandon Brennan was designated for assignment, the club announced earlier Sunday morning.

Weber, 30, re-joins the Sox’ 40-man roster after being designated and outrighted to Triple-A Worcester last November.

In seven appearances (six starts) with the WooSox this season, the veteran hurler posted a 4.63 ERA and 3.98 xFIP to go along with 10 walks and 33 strikeouts over 35 innings of work.

Weber’s last start for Worcester came on June 8, an outing in which he pitched well against the Syracuse Mets by only allowing two runs in seven innings, so he would be in line to start once again on Sunday.

“It was his spot in the rotation (for Worcester) and he can give us multiple innings,” said Red Sox manager Alex Cora. “If something happens with (Sunday’s starter) Martín (Pérez), we were running short on innings. So he’ll be a guy who can give us multiple innings.”

Originally signing a minor-league pact with Boston in December 2018, Weber has put up a 4.73 ERA over 35 appearances (eight starts) and 83 2/3 innings pitched in parts of two seasons with the Red Sox.

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Brandon Brennan, meanwhile, was designated for assignment despite the fact that he does have minor-league options remaining.

The 29-year-old was called up from Triple-A Worcester this past Thursday. He tossed three scoreless innings while scattering three hits, two walks, and one strikeout in his lone appearance out of the Boston bullpen against Toronto on Saturday.

The Red Sox will have seven days to either trade, release, or waive Brennan, who was claimed off waivers from the Mariners last month.

(Picture of Ryan Weber: Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

Red Sox recall Brandon Brennan from Triple-A Worcester, option Phillips Valdez

Before wrapping up a three-game series against the Astros at Fenway Park on Thursday, the Red Sox recalled right-hander Brandon Brennan from Triple-A Worcester.

In a corresponding move, fellow righty Phillips Valdez was optioned down to the WooSox, the team announced Thursday evening.

The move to swap relievers comes at a time when the Red Sox bullpen has been heavily used as of late, and with Hirokazu Sawamuara dealing with right hip soreness, Boston opted to bring up a fresh arm in the form of Brennan.

Brennan, who turns 30 next month, was originally claimed off waivers by the Sox from the Mariners in early May, shortly after he was designated for assignment by Seattle.

While he was optioned to Worcester as soon as he was claimed by Boston, Brennan has gotten his 2021 season off to a solid start with the WooSox.

In eight appearances out of Worcester’s bullpen to this point, the 6-foot-4 righty has posted a 2.16 ERA and 3.65 xFIP to go along with 11 strikeouts and five walks over 8 1/3 innings of relief thus far.

Prior to joining the Red Sox organization this spring, Brennan spent parts of two big-league seasons with the Mariners in 2019 and 2020. He put up a 4.45 ERA, a 4.73 FIP, and a 54:29 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 49 total outings spanning 54 2/3 innings of work.

The California native operates with a four-pitch mix that consists of a changeup, a sinker, a four-seam fastball, and a slider, per Baseball Savant. He is known for his ability to induce swinging strikes.

A former fourth-round draft pick of the White Sox in 2012, Brennan was selected by the Mariners in the major-league phase of the 2018 Rule 5 Draft, so he will join fellow Rule 5 draftee Garrett Whitlock in the Red Sox bullpen for the time being.

Valdez, meanwhile, was optioned to Triple-A Worcester after being used three times in the last four days.

On the 2021 season as a whole, the 29-year-old owns an ERA of 4.24 and FIP of 3.96 over 20 relief appearances (23 1/3 innings), though he has seen his numbers inflate as of late on account of the fact he has allowed at least one earned run in four of his last six outings.

(Picture of Phillips Valdez: Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images)

Red Sox outright Colten Brewer to Triple-A Worcester

Before making up their series finale against the Marlins at Fenway Park on Monday, the Red Sox outrighted right-hander Colten Brewer to Triple-A Worcester, the team announced Monday afternoon.

Brewer, 28, was designated for assignment by the Red Sox last Thursday so that the club could make room on its 40-man roster for Brandon Workman.

In one lone appearance out of the Boston bullpen this season, Brewer yielded four runs — three of which were earned — on four hits, three walks, and one strikeout in one inning of relief against the Astros at Minute Maid Park on May 31.

Originally acquired in a November 2018 trade with the Padres, the righty has posted a 4.98 ERA, a 5.20 FIP, and a 78:51 strikeout-to-walk ratio over 70 total appearances (four starts) in parts of three seasons with the Red Sox.

Because he went unclaimed on waivers and was not traded, Brewer will report back to Worcester, where he put up a 9.00 ERA in four outings (four innings pitched) in two separate stints with the affiliate.

With the WooSox, Brewer rejoins a bullpen mix that includes plenty of other relievers with big-league experience, such as Marcus Walden, Kevin McCarthy, John Schreiber, Brandon Brennan, Matt Hall, Bobby Poyner, and Austin Brice.

Among those relievers, Brennan is the only name listed above currently on Boston’s 40-man roster. Eduard Bazardo, who has made two appearances with the Red Sox this season, is also on the 40-man, but he has been on the injured list since May 24 due to a lat strain.

(Picture of Colten Brewer: Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images)