roster moves – Page 6 – Blogging the Red Sox

Bobby Dalbec set to meet Red Sox in Tampa Bay in wake of Adam Duvall’s wrist injury

Bobby Dalbec will meet the Red Sox in St. Petersburg on Monday ahead of a four-game series against the undefeated Rays at Tropicana Field, according to MassLive.com’s Christopher Smith.

Though no roster move has been announced yet, Dalbec could be activated if outfielder Adam Duvall is placed on the injured list. Duvall was forced to exit Sunday’s 4-1 win over the Tigers in the ninth inning after injuring his left wrist while trying to make a sliding catch in center field. The 34-year-old had X-rays taken after the game but the Red Sox could not provide any further updates and are unlikely to do so until Monday.

“He’s getting X-rays right now, so we don’t know,” Cora told reporters at Comerica Park earlier Sunday afternoon. “We’ll know more during the day and obviously tomorrow.”

Duvall, who signed a one-year, $7 million deal with the Red Sox in January, injured that same left wrist while with the Braves last July and ultimately underwent season-ending surgery to repair a torn tendon sheath. It appears as if a stint on the injured list is likely.

Dalbec, meanwhile, began the season with Triple-A Worcester after failing to make Boston’s Opening Day roster out of spring training. The 27-year-old has gone 6-for-23 (.261) with one double, one triple, one home run, five RBIs, six runs scored, four walks, and 10 strikeouts in his first seven games with the WooSox while seeing playing time at first base, third base, and shortstop.

As noted by Smith, the Red Sox will be facing a plethora of left-handed starters in their next two series against the Rays and Angels. That is why calling up Dalbec, a right-handed hitter, would make more sense than calling up the left-handed hitting Jarren Duran even if Duran would fill a need in the outfield.

(Picture of Bobby Dalbec: Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

Red Sox’ Alex Cora on decision to place Adalberto Mondesí on 60-day injured list: ‘We want this guy to be the explosive guy that he was a few years ago’

The Red Sox accomplished two things by placing infielder Adalberto Mondesi on the 60-day injured list prior to Thursday’s Opening Day date with the Orioles at Fenway Park.

First, they created the opening they needed in order to add outfielder Raimel Tapia to the 40-man roster. Secondly, they ensured that Mondesi, who is rehabbing from a left ACL tear he suffered 11 months ago, will not be eligible to return to the Red Sox until May 29 at the earliest.

Boston acquired Mondesi from the Royals in exchange for left-handed reliever Josh Taylor back in January. At that time, the club was aware that the speedy 27-year-old may not be ready in time for Opening Day. What they did not expect, however, is that he would miss the first two months of the 2023 season.

When speaking with reporters (including MassLive.com’s Chris Cotillo) earlier Thursday, Red Sox manager Alex Cora acknowledged that while Mondesi has not suffered any setbacks in his rehab, he is progressing more slowly than anticipated.

“No setbacks but he didn’t take a leap forward in our last testing,” Cora said. “He’s still off but it feels like this is the right move just to make sure everything goes well.”

Mondesi tore his left ACL on April 26 last year and underwent season-ending surgery in May. When he was traded from the Royals to the Red Sox, he immediately flew from the Dominican Republic to Fort Myers, Fla. to get acquainted with Boston’s training staff.

Now, while the Red Sox are in Boston, Mondesi will remain in Fort Myers to continue working with team trainers at the Fenway South complex. As noted by Cotillo, Mondesi began hitting and taking grounders outside in early March but never progressed to the point where he could get into games before camp came to a close. The current plan is for him to take part in extended spring training before ultimately heading out on a rehab assignment at a later date.

“With us gone from Fort Myers, maybe that’s going to help him,” suggested Cora. “More attention to him, though there was a lot of attention to him. The focus will be on [him] and not seeing everything that’s going on.”

Mondesi, who turns 28 in July, is under contract through the end of the season and will then be eligible for free agency for the first time in his career. When healthy, the 6-foot-1, 200-pounder has proven to be one of the more dynamic players in the game thanks to his standout speed.

For his big-league career, Mondesi is 133-for-159 on stolen base attempts. He stole 32 bases in 2018, 43 in 2019, and an American League-leading 24 during the COVID-shortened 2020 campaign. From 2016-2022, he registered a nearly-elite average sprint speed of 29.8 feet per second, per Baseball Savant.

That speed, according to the Cora, is why Mondesi is not being rushed back. The Red Sox instead want Mondesi at his best when he does return so he can bring a new element to the club’s middle infield mix.

“We feel good about where he’s at,” Cora said. “We want this guy to be the explosive guy that he was a few years ago. If he’s 80 or 85 percent, he’s still a good player, but not the one that’s explosive playing defense, running the bases. We want the closest version of Mondesi.”

(Picture of Adalberto Mondesi: Maddie Malhotra/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images)

Red Sox option Jarren Duran to Triple-A Worcester, clearing way for Raimel Tapia to make team

The Red Sox have optioned outfielder Jarren Duran to Triple-A Worcester, the club announced following Tuesday’s Grapefruit League finale against the Braves at JetBlue Park.

By optioning Duran, the Red Sox have effectively cleared the way for non-roster invitee Raimel Tapia to make the team as a fifth outfielder. Tapia, however, is not yet on Boston’s 40-man roster, which is currently at full capacity. And so the club still needs to clear a spot in order to officially add the 29-year-old outfielder to the mix.

Duran and Tapia were essentially competing for a reserve outfield spot behind the likes of Masataka Yoshida, Adam Duvall, Alex Verdugo, and Rob Refsnyder on Boston’s Opening Day roster. Whoever came out on top would be in line to serve as a left-handed hitting complement to the right-handed hitting Refsnyder off the bench.

In just nine games with the Red Sox this spring, Duran went 6-for-18 (.333) at the plate with three doubles, one home run, one RBI, five runs scored, one stolen base, four walks, and three strikeouts. The 26-year-old was away from the team for a little more than two weeks earlier this month to play for Mexico in the World Baseball Classic. But he was used sparingly in that time and only accrued five plate appearances.

Tapia, meanwhile, signed a minor-league contract with the Red Sox in January and proved to be one of the club’s top offensive performers this spring. In Grapefruit League games, he batted .326/.383/.605 with six doubles, two homers, five RBIs, seven runs scored, three stolen bases, three walks, and six strikeouts across 47 trips to the plate.

According to MassLive.com’s Chris Cotillo, Tapia had the ability to opt out of his deal on Monday, but he elected to remain with the Red Sox through their final game of the spring and went 1-for-2 with a double and run scored in Tuesday’s 7-5 loss to the Braves.

With Duran optioned and Tapia set to make the team, the Red Sox are now tasked with creating an opening for the latter. As noted by The Boston Globe’s Julian McWilliams, it appears as though the club will accomplish this by placing infielder Adalberto Mondesi (ACL rehab) on the 60-day injured list to begin the season.

The Red Sox have just one roster-related decision remaining, and it pertains to the final spot in the bullpen. It will either go to Kaleb Ort, who is already on the 40-man roster but has struggled mightily this spring, Oddanier Mosqueda, Ryan Sherriff or an external option is not yet with the club.

If one of Mosqueda or Sherriff — who were in camp as non-roster invitees — or an outside addition gets the job, another 40-man roster spot would need to be cleared. In that scenario, Ort could very well wind up getting designated for assignment.

All things considered, the Red Sox must finalize their initial 26-man roster to start the season before their Opening Day matchup against the Orioles at Fenway Park on Thursday afternoon.

(Picture of Jarren Duran: Maddie Malhotra/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images)

Orioles return Rule 5 Draft pick Andrew Politi to Red Sox

The Orioles have returned right-hander Andrew Politi to the Red Sox, the club announced earlier Tuesday afternoon. Politi has been assigned to Triple-A Worcester.

Politi was selected by Baltimore with the 17th pick in last December’s Rule 5 Draft but failed to make the club’s Opening Day roster. The 26-year-old was subsequently designated for assignment on Monday after the Orioles acquired left-hander Danny Coulombe from the Twins.

In nine appearances for the O’s this spring, Politi struggled to a 6.23 ERA and 1.38 WHIP with eight strikeouts to three walks over 8 2/3 innings of relief. Opposing hitters batted .265/.342/.588 off the righty as well.

Because he did not their Opening Day roster, the Orioles had no choice but to designate Politi for assignment given his status as a Rule 5 Draft pick. Since he cleared waivers, the Red Sox paid the O’s $50,000 to retain Politi’s rights. Baltimore initially paid Boston $100,000 in order to draft him.

Now that he is back in the organization, the Red Sox do not need to commit a 40-man roster spot to Politi. After beginning the 2022 season with Double-A Portland, Politi was promoted to Worcester in late May and posted a 2.57 ERA with 63 strikeouts to 19 walks in 38 outings (two starts) spanning 56 innings of work for the WooSox.

The Red Sox originally selected Politi in the 15th round of the 2018 amateur draft out of Seton Hall. At the time he was scooped up by the Orioles, the New Jersey native was ranked by SoxProspects.com as the No. 42 prospect in Boston’s farm system.

Politi, who turns 27 in June, operates with a four-pitch mix that consists of a mid-90s four-seam fastball, a high-80s cutter, a mid-80s slider, and a low-80s curveball, per Baseball Savant. The 6-foot, 195-pound hurler figures to provide the Red Sox with some experienced bullpen depth in the upper-minors.

In addition to Politi, the Red Sox also lost fellow righties Thad Ward (Nationals) and Noah Song (Phillies) in the Rule 5 Draft over the winter. Ward appears to be a lock to make Washington’s Opening Day roster as a long reliever. Song, on the other hand, has been sidelined by lower back tightness this spring and is expected to begin the season on Philadelphia’s injured list.

(Picture of Andrew Politi: Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images)

Orioles designate Andrew Politi, who Red Sox lost in Rule 5 Draft, for assignment

The Orioles have designated right-hander Andrew Politi for assignment, according to The Boston Globe’s Speier.

Politi, 26, was selected by Baltimore in last December’s Rule 5 Draft after spending the first five seasons of his professional career in the Red Sox organization.

In nine appearances for the Orioles this spring, Politi posted a 6.23 ERA and 1.38 WHIP with eight strikeouts to three walks over 8 2/3 innings of relief. Opposing hitters batted .265/.342/.588 off of him as well.

Because he did not make their Opening Day roster, the Orioles had no choice but to designate Politi for assignment given his status as a Rule 5 pick. If he clears waivers in the coming days, Politi will be offered back to the Red Sox for $50,000. Baltimore already gave Boston $100,000 in order to draft him.

Another team, in theory, could claim Politi off waivers. But that club would then be required to carry the righty on their active roster or major-league injured list for the entirety of the 2023 season. They would not have the ability to option him to the minor-leagues, either.

Given those somewhat challenging prerequisites, Politi could be returned to the Red Sox by the end of the week. If that does happen, Boston would be able to retain Politi’s services without needing to commit a 40-man roster spot to him.

Originally selected by the Red Sox in the 15th round of the 2018 amateur draft out of Seton Hall, Politi spent most of the 2022 minor-league season with Triple-A Worcester after earning a promotion from Double-A Portland in late May. In 38 outings (two starts) for the WooSox, the New Jersey native pitched to a 2.57 ERA with 63 strikeouts to 19 walks over 56 innings of work.

Despite those strong numbers, the Red Sox elected not to add Politi to their 40-man roster in November, leaving him unprotected and eligible to be taken in the Rule 5 Draft. At the time he was scooped up by the Orioles, Politi was ranked by SoxProspects.com as the No. 42 prospect in Boston’s farm system.

Politi, who turns 27 in June, operates with a four-pitch mix that consists of a mid-90s four-seam fastball, a high-80s cutter, a mid-80s slider, and a low-80s curveball, per Baseball Savant. The 6-foot, 195-pound hurler would presumably re-join the Worcester bullpen if he does clear waivers and returns to the Red Sox.

In addition to Politi, the Red Sox also lost fellow righties Thad Ward (Nationals) and Noah Song (Phillies) in the Rule 5 Draft over the winter. Ward has had a solid spring and looks like a lock to make Washington’s Opening Day roster as a bullpen option. Song, on the other hand, has been sidelined by lower back tightness and is expected to begin the season on Philadelphia’s injured list.

(Picture of Andrew Politi: Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)

Red Sox option pitching prospect Chris Murphy to Triple-A Worcester

The Red Sox have optioned left-hander Chris Murphy to Triple-A Worcester, the club announced earlier Tuesday morning.

Murphy struggled in his Grapefruit League start against the Blue Jays on Monday, allowing six runs (five earned) on four hits and six walks over just 2 1/3 innings of the work. Altogether, the 24-year-old has posted a 9.00 ERA and 2.60 WHIP with five strikeouts to eight walks across three appearances (five innings pitched) this spring.

A native of California, Murphy was originally selected by the Red Sox in the sixth round of the 2019 amateur draft out of the University of San Diego. He was added to the 40-man roster last November in order to receive protection from the Rule 5 Draft and is currently regarded by Baseball America as the No. 13 prospect in Boston’s farm system, which ranks fourth among pitchers in the organization.

Last season, Murphy put up a 2.58 ERA (3.35 FIP) in 15 outings (13 starts, 76 2/3 innings) for Double-A Portland before earning a promotion to Worcester in late June. With the WooSox, though, the southpaw yielded a 5.50 ERA (5.26 FIP) with 58 strikeouts to 41 walks over 15 starts spanning 75 1/3 innings.

Listed at 6-foot-1 and 175 pounds, Murphy operates with a three-pitch mix that consists of 92-94 mph fastball that tops out at 96 mph, an above-average changeup, and an average slider, per his Baseball America scouting report. As was the case on Monday, his command of the strike zone is still needs some refining.

Murphy, who turns 25 in June, is slated to return to Worcester’s starting rotation for the start of the 2023 season alongside the likes of fellow lefty Brandon Walter and hard-throwing righty Bryan Mata, who were both optioned in the last two days.

By optioning Murphy, the Red Sox now have 50 players remaining at major-league camp in Fort Myers. Of those 50 players, 15 are in camp as non-roster invitees.

(Picture of Chris Murphy: Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Red Sox option trio of prospects, including Ceddanne Rafaela, to Triple-A Worcester

Following Monday afternoon’s 16-3 blowout loss to the Blue Jays in Dunedin, the Red Sox made their fourth round of spring training roster cuts.

Boston optioned infielder David Hamilton, infielder/outfielder Ceddanne Rafaela, and left-hander Brandon Walter to Triple-A Worcester, the club announced. All three of these players were added to the Red Sox’ 40-man roster in November in order to receive protection from the Rule 5 Draft.

Hamilton, 25, has appeared in 13 Grapefruit League games for Boston this spring. The speedy left-handed hitter has gone 7-fot-24 (.292) at the plate with one double, four RBIs, three runs scored, five stolen bases, three walks, and nine strikeouts in that span.

After setting a new franchise record by stealing 70 bases with Double-A Portland last season, Hamilton could very well make his impact felt with the Red Sox this year. Over the winter, Major League Baseball implemented a pitch clock, larger bases, and a limit on pickoff attempts in an effort to increase action on the basepaths.

Rafaela, 22, has appeared in 15 Grapefruit League games this spring. In that stretch, the versatile right-handed hitter has batted .207 (6-for-29) with six singles, four runs driven in, four runs scored, one stolen base, one walk, and six strikeouts.

Originally signed out of Curacao for just $10,000 in July 2017, Rafaela is currently regarded by Baseball America as the No. 3 prospect in Boston’s farm system. He is capable of playing both shortstop and center field at a high level and has been named the organization’s Minor League Defensive Player of the Year the last two years.

Walter, meanwhile, struggled out of the bullpen against the Blue Jays on Monday. The 26-year-old southpaw got tagged for six earned runs on eight hits, no walks, and three strikeouts over two innings of relief. Of the 44 pitches he threw, 31 went for strikes.

A former 26th-round draft selection out of Delaware in 2019, Walter is coming off a solid 2022 campaign in which he walked just three of the 196 batters he faced between Portland and Worcester. After making just two starts for the WooSox, though, Walter was shut down for the season in June due to a bulging disc in his upper back that was originally diagnosed as a neck strain.

Like Bryan Mata, who was optioned to Worcester on Sunday, Walter will provide the Red Sox with starting rotation depth in the upper-minors to begin the 2023 season. He is currently regarded by Baseball America as the No. 10 prospect in Boston’s farm system, which ranks second among pitchers in the organization.

With Monday’s subtractions, the Red Sox now have 51 players remaining on their major-league spring training roster. Of those 51 players, 15 are in camp as non-roster invitees.

(Picture of Ceddanne Rafaela: Maddie Malhotra/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images)

Red Sox option top pitching prospect Bryan Mata to Triple-A Worcester in latest round of spring training roster cuts

Only two players were involved this time around, but the Red Sox still made their third round of spring training roster cuts following Sunday’s split-squad doubleheader against the Yankees and Orioles.

Boston optioned right-hander Bryan Mata to Triple-A Worcester and reassigned left-hander Ryan Sherriff to minor-league camp, the club announced.

Mata made his fourth appearance of the spring in Sunday’s 3-3 draw against the Yankees at JetBlue Park. The 23-year-old scattered three hits and two walks to go along with two strikeouts over three scoreless innings of work. He retired eight of the 13 batters he faced on 46 pitches and has yet to surrender a run in Grapefruit League play.

After returning from Tommy John surgery last season, Mata was promoted to Worcester in late August. The native Venezuelan made five starts for the WooSox and posted a 3.47 ERA (3.12 FIP) with 30 strikeouts to 15 walks over 23 1/3 innings pitched. He is currently regarded by Baseball America as Boston’s top pitching prospect and could have a chance to make an impact at the major-league level later this year.

Sherriff, on the other hand, signed a minors pact with the Red Sox in January that came with an invite to big-league camp. In four relief appearances this spring, the 32-year-old southpaw has allowed one unearned run on three hits, one hit batsman, and four strikeouts. He has held opposing hitters to a .188 batting average against thus far.

With Sunday’s subtractions, the size of Boston’s spring training roster has shrunk from 56 to 54 players. Fifteen of the 54 players who remain are not on the 40-man roster and are therefore at camp as non-roster invitees.

BOSTON RED SOX NON-ROSTER INVITEES (15)

Pitchers (4): Matt Dermody, Oddanier Mosqueda, Chase Shugart

Catchers (4): Jorge Alfaro, Caleb Hamilton, Ronaldo Hernández, Stephen Scott

Infielders (1): Christian Koss

Outfielders (3): Greg Allen, Narciso Crook, Raimel Tapia

Infielder/Outfielders (4): Ryan Fitzgerald, Niko Goodrum, Daniel Palka, Nick Sogard

(Picture of Bryan Mata: Maddie Malhotra/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images)

Red Sox make second round of spring training roster cuts; Wilyer Abreu optioned to Triple-A Worcester

Before falling to the Twins in the afternoon, the Red Sox made their second round of spring training roster cuts on Saturday morning.

Per a team announcement, outfielder Wilyer Abreu — who is on the 40-man roster — was optioned to Triple-A Worcester while right-handers Taylor Broadway, Jake Faria, Durbin Feltman, and Norwith Gudino were all reassigned to minor-league camp.

Abreu, one of two prospects acquired from the Astros in last August’s Christian Vazquez trade, was added to Boston’s 40-man roster in November in order to receive protection from the Rule 5 Draft. The 23-year-old Venezuelan came into the spring ranked by Baseball America as the No. 22 prospect in the Red Sox’ farm system.

In the seventh inning of last Sunday’s Grapefruit League contest against the Marlins at JetBlue Park, Abreu strained his left hamstring after singling and rounding the first-base bag awkwardly. He was immediately removed from the game and has not been used since.

As such, it would not be all that surprising if Abreu begins the 2023 season on the injured list with whichever minor-league affiliate he is with. Prior to injuring himself, the left-handed hitter had gotten his first spring with the Red Sox off to an impressive start by going 4-for-12 (.333) at the plate with a triple, a home run, four runs driven in, five runs scored, two walks, and four strikeouts in seven Grapefruit League games.

Of the four pitchers reassigned to minor-league camp on Saturday, Faria is the only one with past big-league experience. The 29-year-old righty signed a minors pact with Boston in early February and has gotten into five Grapefruit League games thus far, posting a 4.15 ERA with four strikeouts to one walk over 4 1/3 innings of work.

Broadway, who the Red Sox acquired from the White Sox as the player to be named later in last August’s Jake Diekman/Reese McGuire swap, has yet to allow a run in 3 1/3 innings of relief this spring. The 25-year-old right-hander has issued three walks and has struck out three of the 14 batters he has faced.

Feltman, a former-third round draft selection out of TCU in 2018, has yielded just one run across four appearances (five innings). Gudino, who was signed to a minor-league deal in December, has surrendered four runs on eight hits, one walk, and seven strikeouts over 6 1/3 innings this spring.

As a member of Venezuela’s designated pitcher pool for the World Baseball Classic, Gudino could soon leave Fort Myers for Miami if his country advances past the first round of the tournament.

With Saturday’s subtractions, the size of Boston’s spring training roster has shrunk from 60 to 55 players. Sixteen of the 55 players who remain are not on the 40-man roster and are therefore at camp as non-roster invitees.

BOSTON RED SOX NON-ROSTER INVITEES (16)

Pitchers (4): Matt Dermody, Oddanier Mosqueda, Ryan Sherriff, Chase Shugart

Catchers (4): Jorge Alfaro, Caleb Hamilton, Ronaldo Hernández, Stephen Scott

Infielders (1): Christian Koss

Outfielders (3): Greg Allen, Narciso Crook, Raimel Tapia

Infielder/Outfielders (4): Ryan Fitzgerald, Niko Goodrum, Daniel Palka, Nick Sogard

(Picture of Wilyer Abreu: Maddie Malhotra/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images)

Red Sox make first round of spring training roster cuts; Matthew Lugo among four players reassigned to minor-league camp

Before defeating the Marlins, 4-1, at JetBlue Park in the afternoon, the Red Sox made their first round of spring training roster cuts on Sunday morning.

Per a team announcement, right-handers Dan Altavilla and Victor Santos, catcher Elih Marrero, and infielder Matthew Lugo were all reassigned to minor-league camp in Fort Myers, Fla.

Of these four, Altavilla is the only one with prior major-league experience. The 30-year-old righty originally signed a two-year minor-league deal with the Red Sox last March, but he did not pitch at all in 2022 after undergoing Tommy John surgery while a member of the Padres in June 2021.

Since debuting with the Mariners in 2016, Altavilla owns a lifetime 4.03 ERA (4.39 FIP) with 129 strikeouts to 60 walks in 119 career relief appearances (116 innings between Seattle and San Diego. He will likely begin the season with Triple-A Worcester, but he could ultimately help the Red Sox out of the bullpen at some point in 2023.

Lugo, meanwhile, is the most notable prospect listed here . The 21-year-old briefly held the title of the youngest player at Red Sox camp and has fared well in Grapefruit League play by hitting .400 (4-for-10) with two doubles, one triple, five RBIs, one run scored, zero walks, and four strikeouts over seven games this spring.

A former 2019 second-round draft selection out of the Carlos Beltran Baseball Academy in Puerto Rico, Lugo spent the vast majority of the 2022 minor-league season with High-A Greenville. The right-handed hitter batted .288/.344/.500 with 18 home runs and 78 RBIs in 114 games (512 plate appearances) for the Drive before appearing in three games with Double-A Portland in late September. He was also named co-Rookie of the Year in the Puerto Rican Winter League after posting an .810 OPS in 39 games with the Criollos de Caguas.

Lugo, who turns 22 in May, is expected to return to Portland for the start of the 2023 season. The Manati native is currently regarded by Baseball America as the No. 18 prospect in the Red Sox’ farm system and has past experience at every infield position besides first base.

With Sunday’s subtractions, the size of Boston’s spring training roster has shrunk from 64 to 60 players. Twenty of the 60 players who remain are not on the 40-man roster and are therefore at camp as non-roster invitees.

BOSTON RED SOX NON-ROSTER INVITEES (20)

Pitchers (8): Taylor Broadway, Matt Dermody, Jake Faria, Durbin Feltman, Norwith Gudino, Oddanier Mosqueda, Ryan Sherriff, Chase Shugart

Catchers (4): Jorge Alfaro, Caleb Hamilton, Ronaldo Hernández, Stephen Scott

Infielders (1): Christian Koss

Outfielders (3): Greg Allen, Narciso Crook, Raimel Tapia

Infielder/Outfielders (4): Ryan Fitzgerald, Niko Goodrum, Daniel Palka, Nick Sogard

(Picture of Matthew Lugo: Elsa/Getty Images)