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Red Sox Roster Moves

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BOSTON – (Staff Report from Official News Releases) – The Boston Red Sox placed left-handed pitcher Rich Hill on the Bereavement/Family Medical Emergency List. To fill Hill’s spot on the active roster, the club recalled catcher Ronaldo Hernández from Triple-A Worcester. Chief Baseball Officer Chaim Bloom made the roster move..

Hill, 42, started yesterday’s game against the Minnesota Twins, allowing four runs in 4.2 innings. The left-hander has made two starts for the Red Sox this season, posting a 7.00 ERA (7 ER/9.0 IP).

Hernández, 24, has played in seven games for Worcester this season, making six starts at catcher. In 106 games between Worcester and Double-A Portland since the start of 2021, the right-handed hitter is batting .274 (107-for-391) with 48 extra-base hits and 62 RBI. His first appearance will be his major league debut.

Meanwhile, the Red Sox made additional roster moves in reaction to yesterdays sidelining of Kevin Plawecki and subsequent medical update on Plawecki’s battery-mate in catcher Christian Vázquez and infielder Jonathan Araúz on the COVID-19 Related Injured List.

Additional moves included:

· Recalled right-hander pitcher Tyler Danish from Triple-A Worcester.

· Selected outfielder Rob Refsnyder to the active major league roster from Worcester.

Vázquez, 31, has started seven of the Red Sox’ first 10 games at catcher, throwing out two of five attempted base stealers (40.0%). The right-handed hitter went 2-for-4 with two RBI in yesterday’s game against the Twins, hitting his first home run of the season in the seventh inning.

Araúz, 23, has appeared in five games this season, making three starts at second base. The switch-hitter most recently appeared as a defensive replacement in the ninth inning on Saturday.

Danish, 27, has not allowed a run in his three relief appearances for Worcester this season, striking out six batters in 3.0 innings. The right-hander posted a 1.29 ERA (1 ER/7.0 IP) in six Grapefruit League appearances for the Red Sox in Spring Training.

Refsnyder, 31, is batting .400 (14-for-35) with 12 runs scored, four doubles, one home run, eight RBI, and nine walks in 11 games for Worcester this season. The right-handed hitter has made eight starts in center field, two in right field, and one at designated hitter.

Twins Spoil Red Sox Home Opener, 8-4

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BOSTON – Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Joe Ryan made his second start of the 2022 MLB season – just his seventh career appearance – and spoiled the Boston Red Sox home opener by throwing six innings of five-hit baseball to anchor the Twins’ 8-4 victory over Boston.

Ryan allowed only one run (earned), struck-out seven Sox batters and walked none. He passed the ball to the Twins bullpen with a 6-1 lead with only a home run to Boston LF Alex Verdugo as his lone blemish. Ryan is (1-1) on the season and he lowered his ERA to (2.70) with the outing.

Boston’s starting pitcher, Nick Pivetta, didn’t fare as well. The Twins scored four runs on five hits over the first two innings to knock Pivetta out of the game after throwing 54 pitches in two innings and leaving on the wrong side of a 4-1 score. Minnesota 1B Miguel Sano did the most damage with a two-run homer off Pivetta in the second inning.

The Red Sox would go on to use six pitchers throughout the game and Minnesota scored a pair of insurance runs in both the fifth and ninth innings, hitting-up RP Hirokazu Sawamura for two runs in the fifth and Matt Barnes for another pair in the top of the ninth, sealing the Twins’ victory.

After rallying for three runs in the eighth inning, including two off the bat of Rafael Devers who homered off reliever Jhoan Duran, the Sox bats went limp in the bottom of the ninth. Both newly acquired infielder Trevor Story and veteran first baseman Bobby Dalbec struck-out to end the game in a whimper before a sellout crowd of 36,266 at Fenway Park.

 

It’s Opening Day at Fenway Park

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BOSTON – The Boston Red Sox face the Minnesota Twins in their home opener at Fenway Park after a six-game road trip to open the season. Boston split the six games and meet a Twins team that is (2-4) over their first six contests of 2022.

Between the fact it’s Opening Day, along with MLB’s league-wide tribute to Jackie Robinson, the 75th anniversary of NY/MLB’s first game at Ebbets Field, The Hub’s “ONE Boston” day to memorialize the victims of the April 15, 2013 Boston Marathon bombing and a home opening tribute to longtime Red Sox second baseman and TV commentator Jerry Remy, there’s a lot going on at the ballpark.

The Red Sox are in the midst of a stretch of six consecutive games when they play afternoon baseball. Eight of the Red Sox first 10 games of 2022 are scheduled for day games, including this Monday’s 11:10am (ET) start to celebrate Patriots’ Day in the Commonwealth and the running of the Boston Marathon.

The next time Boston plays a night game will be Monday, April 19th vs Toronto.

Boston will be playing games on 17 consecutive days (April 15-May 1)

TODAY’S STARTING PITCHERS: Twins: Joe Ryan (0-1, 4.50 ERA, 1.50 WHIP, four strikeouts); Red Sox: Nick Pivetta (0-1, 6.35 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, four strikeouts).

 

 

Red Sox Head to Motor City

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By TERRY LYONS

BOSTON – The Boston Red Sox will depart New York after the first ESPN Sunday Night Baseball game against the Yankees, can chill-out in Detroit for a three-game set against the Tigers Monday to Wednesday (two afternoon games) before heading home Thursday for the Friday, April 15, 2:10pm (ET) home opener against the Minnesota Twins at Fenway Park.

This Friday, Minnesota’s SP Sonny Gray is scheduled to throw against Boston SP Nick Pivetta unless the weather forecast throws a change-up. The four-game set against the Twins concludes with the 11:10am (ET) start on Patriots’ Day, Monday, April 18th – the holiday in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts known best at the day of the famed Boston Marathon.

Reading the Boston Red Sox Tea party leaves this early in the season is nearly as impossible as forecasting the weather. After all, when the Red Sox were playing the New York Yankees on Saturday, Boston saw sunshine and spring-like settings turn to ominous skies, snow, hail, thunder and rain before returning to a beautiful spring evening.

That unpredictable weather pattern might equate to the Sox pitching roster, once again, as Nathan Eovoldi, Pivetta, Tanner Houck, Michael Wacha and Rich Hill could prove to be a formidable staff which can be super-sized if Sox star Chris Sale can return to form at some point mid-season. Currently, Sale is on the 60-day Injured List with rib injuries. He’ll begin throwing next week.

James Paxton, acquired by Boston for a single year deal for a lofty $10m, is recovering from Tommy John surgery last April when he was a member o0f the Seattle Mariners.

One-time Sox closer Matt Barnes is already banged-up as the season begins but could return soon. Until then, it’s bullpen by committee with newly extended four-year contract holder Garrett Whitlock carrying the load with Ryan Brasier and Hansel Robles. Matt Strohm andJake Diekman round out the relievers from the southpaw side. Josh Taylor, a 61 game reliever last season, has been out on the IL with a bad back but could return within weeks.

If you’re scoring at home, that pans out to create uncertainty every time Eovaldi, Pivetta, Hill, Wacha, Barnes and eventually Sale and Paxton take the pitching mound to start a game, whether it be at Fenway or on the road.

Of course, pitching is the key element for all teams to contend in the American League East as the Toronto Blue Jays, Yankees, and Tampa Bay Rays are all worthy to compete for playoff berths while the Baltimore Orioles are likely to hold up the rear in the division but are fast improving.

Lets take a look at the Vegas odds for the American League title as of Opening Day:

  • Toronto Blue Jays | +400
  • Chicago White Sox | +500
  • Houston Astros | +500
  • New York Yankees | +500
  • Tampa Bay Rays | +850
  • Boston Red Sox | +1000
  • Los Angeles Angels | +1000
  • Seattle Mariners | +1000
  • Minnesota Twins | +1700
  • Detroit Tigers | +2300
  • Cleveland Guardians | +4200
  • Texas Rangers | +4800
  • Kansas City Royals | +5000
  • Oakland Athletics | +6000
  • Baltimore Orioles | +16000

TL’s Sunday Sports Notebook | April 10

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By TERRY LYONS

BOSTON – The Boston Red Sox will depart New York after tonight’s first ESPN Sunday Night Baseball game against the Yankees, then chill-out in Detroit for a three-game set against the Tigers Monday to Wednesday (two afternoon games) before heading home Thursday for the Friday, April 15, 2:10pm (ET) home opener against the Minnesota Twins at Fenway Park.

Minnesota’s SP Sonny Gray is scheduled to throw against Boston SP Nick Pivetta unless the weather forecast throws a change-up. The four-game set against the Twins concludes with the 11:10am (ET) start on Patriots’ Day, Monday, April 18th – the holiday in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts known best at the day of the famed Boston Marathon.

Reading the Boston Red Sox Tea party leaves this early in the season is nearly as impossible as forecasting the weather. After all, when the Red Sox were playing the New York Yankees on Saturday, Boston saw sunshine and spring-like settings turn to ominous skies, snow, hail, thunder and rain before returning to a beautiful spring evening.

That unpredictable weather pattern might equate to the Sox pitching roster, once again, as Nathan Eovoldi, Pivetta, Tanner Houck, Michael Wacha and Rich Hill could prove to be a formidable staff which can be super-sized if Sox star Chris Sale can return to form at some point mid-season. Currently, Sale is on the 60-day Injured List with rib injuries. He’ll begin throwing next week.

James Paxton, acquired by Boston for a single year deal for a lofty $10m, is recovering from Tommy John surgery last April when he was a member o0f the Seattle Mariners.

One-time Sox closer Matt Barnes is already banged-up as the season begins but could return soon. Until then, it’s bullpen by committee with newly extended four-year contract holder Garrett Whitlock carrying the load with Ryan Brasier and Hansel Robles. Matt Strohm andJake Diekman round out the relievers from the southpaw side. Josh Taylor, a 61 game reliever last season, has been out on the IL with a bad back but could return within weeks.

If you’re scoring at home, that pans out to create uncertainty every time Eovaldi, Pivetta, Hill, Wacha, Barnes and eventually Sale and Paxton take the pitching mound to start a game, whether it be at Fenway or on the road.

Of course, pitching is the key element for all teams to contend in the American League East as the Toronto Blue Jays, Yankees, and Tampa Bay Rays are all worthy to compete for playoff berths while the Baltimore Orioles are likely to hold up the rear in the division but are fast improving.

Lets take a look at the Vegas odds for the American League title as of Opening Day:

  • Toronto Blue Jays | +400
  • Chicago White Sox | +500
  • Houston Astros | +500
  • New York Yankees | +500
  • Tampa Bay Rays | +850
  • Boston Red Sox | +1000
  • Los Angeles Angels | +1000
  • Seattle Mariners | +1000
  • Minnesota Twins | +1700
  • Detroit Tigers | +2300
  • Cleveland Guardians | +4200
  • Texas Rangers | +4800
  • Kansas City Royals | +5000
  • Oakland Athletics | +6000
  • Baltimore Orioles | +16000

In the National League, there’s rarely a bar room argument that the LA Dodgers, Atlanta Braves and San Diego Padres all have an edge and the New York Mets could contend if starters Jacob deGrom and Max Scherzer can combine for 35-40 wins. Meanwhile, while last year’s surprise club, the San Francisco Giants, have slipped.

Here are the Vegas Opening Day odds for the National League title:

  • Los Angeles Dodgers | +175
  • New York Mets | +500
  • Atlanta Braves | +550
  • Milwaukee Brewers | +750
  • San Diego Padres | +750
  • Philadelphia Phillies | +1000
  • San Francisco Giants | +1000
  • St. Louis Cardinals | +1400
  • Miami Marlins | +3400
  • Chicago Cubs | +4800
  • Cincinnati Reds | +6500
  • Washington Nationals | +6500
  • Colorado Rockies | +11500
  • Arizona Diamondbacks | +18000
  • Pittsburgh Pirates | +25000

HERE NOW, THE NOTES: As long as the odds are laid out so nicely, there’s no reason not to make early season predictions for Divisional Winners, Wild Cards, League Championship Series contenders and the winner of the 2022 World Series.

Here now, the picks:

American League:

Divisional Winners: Toronto Blue Jays*, Chicago White Sox, Houston Astros*

Wild Cards: New York Yankees, Tampa Bay Rays, LA Angels.

ALCS: Toronto vs Houston with the Astros advancing to the World Series.

National League:

Divisional Winners: Atlanta Braves*, Milwaukee Brewers, LA Dodgers*.

Wild Cards: San Diego Padres, New York Mets, SF Giants.

NLCS: LA Dodgers vs. Atlanta Braves with the Dodgers advancing.

World Series: LA Dodgers over Houston Astros, 4-games-to-2.

THE MASTERS: There are a few sporting events which take on a “Carnegie Hall” level of prestige in the sports world.

They are:

  1. The Masters
  2. Wimbledon
  3. The Kentucky Derby
  4. The Ryder Cup
  5. The Boston Marathon
  6. The Breeders’ Cup
  7. Tour de France
  8. Monaco Gand Prix

This week’s Masters is living up to its rightful place in sports. The headline-grabbing storyline is the return of Tiger Woods to competitive PGA TOUR golf. While Woods has been both impressive and competitive, his rivals are atop the leaderboard heading into the final round.

The Leaderboard:

Scottie Scheffler – (-9)

Cameron Smith – (-6)

Sungjae Im – (-4)

Shane Lowry – (-4)

Charl Schwartzel – (-4)

Tiger Woods is T-41 at (+7)

Scheffler has won three times in his last five starts on Tour.

IT’s JUST A FANTASY: For this column, rarely do I delve into Fantasy Sports and share my fantasy team ups and downs, whether it be NFL Football or MLB Baseball. And, while we’ve been known to play every kind of fantasy sport imaginable, from Olympic Basketball and Ice Hockey to World Cup to NBA to NBA Playoffs to NFL Playoffs to PGA TOUR Golf to NBA Summer League to – well, you get the idea, the completion for NFL regular season, PGA Golf and the long run of MLB Baseball are the three I’ve settled for over the past five or six years.

The Baseball fantasy league is called the “Teddy Baseball League” to honor the great Ted Williams and its weekly winner is crowned the “Dean RosenTeam of the Week” in memory of one of the league’s former team owners who passed away all too soon. The Teddy is a hybrid of fantasy baseball with the first 17 players for each team picked in “auction” style of bidding, then the final 14 players are picked in snake-draft order to fill-out a 31 player roster for 11 teams.

The standings are rotisserie style, not head-to-head, so it is a long marathon of a season.

The franchise, worth billions – I am sure, is the Chathams, named after one of my favorite places on earth in Chatham, Massachusetts – on The Cape. We are often tagged as “The Cape Codders.” And, that’s alright with me. The Cape Cod Baseball League is a favorite for sure and there will be more on that this summer.

The Chathams have an active owner and a seasoned veteran of a General Manager and head of Analytics in Craig Glazer. The league competition is tough. No team misses a beat, nor a prospect, nor a mistake of a cut. Line-ups are set weekly, on Monday when there’s five minutes before the first pitch of the first game of the week. It’s great.

Our strategy – which has been no secret to our fellow league franchise owners – is to go heavy on offense, grab at least one stud or semi-stud Starting Pitcher, one formidable Reliever for saves and then do our best to fill-out the rest of the line-up. In taking this road to the Teddy Title, we need to thread the needle, acquire a couple up & coming stars who pan out and pray to the heavens our top offensive gems stay healthy.

That was not the case last year when Ronald Acuna Jr. was injured in mid-season and with his injury, so were the days of our Teddy triumph to be. We were also sunk when Los Angeles Dodgers slugger Cody Bellinger, a superstar level player, had his worst season EVVV-AHHH.

That was last year, this is this year. Here is the line-up and I’ll not the bidding numbers for a few of the top players. (A side-note, the most expensive player in the auction was our very own $42 bid for Juan Soto of the Washington Nationals. That came out of a $202 budget).

Here’s our club:

  • Shohei Ohtani LAA, DH – $23 (a surprise that he went for under $30-$40).
  • Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Tor, 1B – $35
  • Juan Soto Wash, RF – $42
  • Gerrit Cole NYY, SP – $35
  • Rafael Devers Bos, 3B – $33
  • Jacob deGrom NYM, SP – $6 (deep discount with 60+ day IL)
  • Marcus Semien Tex, 2B – $17 (shocked he didn’t get more bidding)

That’s where the budget kicked-in and we were left to fill nine players at $1 and one player at $2.

That resulted in the rest of the roster consisting of:

  • Edwin Diaz NYM, RP
  • Taylor Rogers SD, RP
  • Tyler Stephenson Cin, C (a target going into the draft)
  • Austin Meadows Det, LF (shocked he was still available)
  • Amed Rosario Cle, SS
  • Ty France Sea, 1B
  • Jeimer Candelario Det, 3B
  • Eduardo Rodriguez Det, SP
  • Lance Lynn ChW, SP (currently on IL)
  • Josh Bell Wsh, 1B

The snake-draft portion of the night brought:

  • Luis Severino, SP, NYY
  • Andrew Benintendi, OF, KC
  • Jordan Montgomery, SP, NYY
  • Ian Happ, OF, CHC
  • Randal Grichuk, OF, COL
  • Marcus Stroman, SP, CHC
  • Corey Kluber, SP, TB
  • Matt Brash, SP, SEA
  • David Bednar, RP, PIT
  • Reid Detmers, SP, LAA
  • Nick Senzel, OF, CIN
  • Seth Beer, 1B, ARI
  • Josh Rojas, 2B, ARI
  • Kendall Graveman, RP, CWS

A rare, pre-opening day trade sent Senzel, Meadows and Bednar outbound while we filled a weak middle infield position with Dansby Swanson, along with outfielder Anthony Santander of Baltimore and 1B Eric Hosmer.

That’s the club – for now – as transactions have and will continue each and every week of the season. Next update?

How about the 4th of July and then September 1 and October 1?

Red Sox Make Roster Cuts

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FORT MYERS – The Boston Red Sox optioned right-handed pitcher Eduard Bazardo and left-handed pitcher Darwinzon Hernandez to Triple-A Worcester while right-handed pitcher Kaleb Ort, left-handed pitcher Derek Holland, outfielder Christin Stewart, and infielder Yolmer Sánchez were reassigned to minor league camp, announced Sox Chief Baseball Officer Chaim Bloom.

With three days remaining in Spring Training the Red Sox have 34 active players remaining in training camp, including 28 members of the 40-man roster and six non-roster invitees.

Red Sox Ink Story – Officially

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BOSTON – (Staff Report from Official News Release) – A week after news broke of the acquisition, the Boston Red Sox officially signed infielder Trevor Story to a six-year contract through the 2027 season, with a club option for 2028. To make room for Story on the 40-man roster, the Red Sox designated outfielder Jeisson Rosario for assignment.

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Story, 29, was named a National League All-Star in 2018 and 2019, winning the Silver Slugger Award at shortstop in each season. He finished in the top 12 in NL Most Valuable Player voting in three consecutive years from 2018-20, including a career-best eighth in 2018. In 745 games for the Colorado Rockies (2016-21), the right-handed hitter has batted .272 (768-for-2,822) with 158 home runs, 450 RBI, 100 stolen bases, and an .863 OPS. Among active major leaguers with at least 500 plate appearances against left-handed pitchers, he ranks first in slugging percentage (.621) and third in OPS (1.002) while batting .308 (242-for-786).

In 142 games for the Rockies last season, Story batted .251 (132-for-526) with an .801 OPS, 24 home runs, 75 RBI, and 20 stolen bases. The Texas native has hit at least 20 home runs in each of his five 162-game seasons and stolen at least 20 bases three times. He is one of only two players to hit at least 20 home runs and steal at least 20 bases in each of the last three 162-game seasons (2018-19, ’21), joining Cleveland’s José Ramírez. In 2018, he became the first shortstop in major league history to record at least 40 doubles, 30 home runs, and 25 stolen bases in a season. Story joins Alex Rodriguez as the only shortstops ever to hit at least 30 home runs and steal 20 bases in multiple seasons.

Originally selected by the Rockies in first round (45th overall) of the 2011 MLB First-Year Player Draft out of Irving (TX) High School, Story totaled six home runs in his first four major league games in 2016 and went on to finish fourth in Rookie of the Year voting. According to FanGraphs, his 69 defensive runs saved from 2016-21 ranked third among major leaguers at shortstop, trailing only Andrelton Simmons (99) and Nick Ahmed (73). In five career Postseason games, Story is 7-for-22 (.318) with two doubles and one home run.

Red Sox Acquire Hill, Paxson

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BOSTON – (Staff Report from Official News Release) – The Boston Red Sox went the veteran route to shore-up their pitching rotation and in doing so, signed left-handed pitcher Rich Hill to a one-year contract for the 2022 season. In addition, the Red Sox signed left-handed pitcher James Paxton to a one-year contract for the 2022 season, with a two-year club option for the 2023-24 seasons. In the event the club does not exercise that option following the 2022 season, Paxton would have the right to exercise a conditional player option for the 2023 season. The Red Sox’ 40-man roster is now at 39 after Red Sox Chief Baseball Officer Chaim Bloom made the additions.

Hill, 41, has pitched for 11 major league teams over 17 seasons, going 74-52 with a 3.80 ERA (479 ER/1,134.2 IP) in 324 appearances (195 starts) with the Chicago Cubs (2005-08), Baltimore Orioles (2009), Red Sox (2010-12, ’15), Cleveland Indians (2013), Los Angeles Angels (2014), New York Yankees (2014), Oakland A’s (2016), Los Angeles Dodgers (2016-19), Minnesota Twins (2020), Tampa Bay Rays (2021), and New York Mets (2021).

In 2021, Hill made 19 starts for the Rays and pitched in 13 games (12 starts) for the Mets, posting a 3.86 ERA (68 ER/158.2 IP) with 150 strikeouts, a 1.21 WHIP, and a .235 opponent batting average. In five starts against American League Postseason teams, he was 4-0 with a 1.75 ERA (5 ER/25.2 IP), having made three appearances against the Yankees, one versus the Red Sox, and one against the Houston Astros.

Born in Boston, Hill graduated from Milton High School before attending the University of Michigan. He last pitched at Fenway Park on September 25, 2015, when he threw a two-hit shutout against the Orioles, striking out 10 batters and walking one. In 25 career appearances at Fenway (one start), Hill is 2-0 with a 1.65 ERA (5 ER/27.1 IP). In 2019, he earned the Tony Conigliaro Award, presented annually by the Red Sox to a major leaguer who has overcome adversity through the attributes of spirit, determination, and courage.

Hill has made 13 Postseason appearances (12 starts) for the Cubs (2007) and Dodgers (2016-19), going 1-2 with a 3.06 ERA (18 ER/53.0 IP).

Paxton, 33, is 57-33 with a 3.59 ERA (301 ER/754.2 IP) in 137 major league appearances—all starts—with the Seattle Mariners (2013-18, ’21) and New York Yankees (2019-20). After making a career-high 29 starts and going 15-6 for the Yankees in 2019, he missed a majority of the 2020 season due to injury. In 2021, he made one start for the Mariners before undergoing Tommy John surgery on April 13 and missing the remainder of the season.

A native of Vancouver, Paxton pitched at the University of Kentucky from 2007-09 and was selected by the Mariners in the fourth round of the 2010 June Draft. He posted a sub-4.00 ERA in each of his first seven major league seasons (2013-19), including a 2.98 ERA (45 ER/136.0 IP) over 24 starts for Seattle in 2017. On May 8, 2018 at Rogers Centre, Paxton threw a no-hitter in a 5-0 win over the Blue Jays. Since the start of 2016, he has averaged 10.61 strikeouts and only 2.53 walks per 9.0 innings, having struck out 695 batters and walked 166 during that time.

Red Sox Promote Four to MLB Roster

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BOSTON – The Boston Red Sox made the following roster moves on Friday, November 19, taking Boston’s 40-man MLB roster up to 37 players.

  • Infielder Jeter Downs and right-handed pitchers Kutter Crawford and Josh Winckowski were selected to the major league roster from Triple-A Pawtucket.
  • Right-handed pitcher Brayan Bello was selected to the major league roster from Double-A Portland.

Bello, 22, is ranked by Baseball America as the Red Sox’ No. 5 prospect. The right-hander split the 2021 season between High-A Greenville and Double-A Portland, making 21 starts and going 7-3 with a 3.87 ERA (41 ER/95.1 IP), 132 strikeouts, and 31 walks. Following the season, the Red Sox named Bello the organization’s Minor League Starting Pitcher of the Year. Acquired as an international free agent in July 2017, the Dominican Republic native has a 3.98 ERA (124 ER/280.1 IP) in 60 career minor league appearances (59 starts).

Crawford, 25, is ranked by MLB.com as the Red Sox’ No. 23 prospect. The right-hander made 20 appearances (19 starts) between Portland and Triple-A Worcester in 2021, going 6-6 with a 4.28 ERA (45 ER/94.2 IP) and 131 strikeouts. The Florida native also made his major league debut last season, starting against Cleveland on September 5. He has made four starts in the Dominican Winter League this year, allowing one earned run in 18.1 innings (0.49 ERA). Selected by Boston in the 16th round of the 2017 June Draft out of Florida Gulf Coast University, Crawford is 18-21 with a 3.63 ERA (132 ER/327.2 IP) and 390 strikeouts in 67 minor league games (66 starts).

Downs, 23, is ranked as one of the Red Sox’ top 10 prospects by both Baseball America (No. 6) and MLB.com (No. 5). The right-handed hitter spent the 2021 season with Worcester, making 78 starts at shortstop and 21 at second base while batting .190 (68-for-357) with 14 home runs and 18 stolen bases. In 16 games for Scottsdale in the Arizona Fall League, he went 13-for-57 (.228) with five home runs and an .880 OPS. Selected by the Cincinnati Reds in the first round of the 2017 June Draft (No. 32 overall), Downs was acquired by the Red Sox from the Los Angeles Dodgers on February 10, 2020.

Winckowski, 23, is ranked by Baseball America as the Red Sox’ No. 9 prospect. He split the 2021 season between Portland (21 games, 20 starts) and Worcester (two starts), going 9-4 with a 3.94 ERA (49 ER/112.0 IP), 101 strikeouts, and 33 walks. Following the season, the right-hander made six appearances for Scottsdale in the Arizona Fall League. Selected by the Blue Jays in the 15th round of the 2016 June Draft, Winckowski spent his first five seasons in Toronto’s minor league system before being traded to the Mets on January 27, 2021, then to the Red Sox on February 10.

BOSTON RED SOX 40-MAN ROSTER (37)

Pitchers (19): Matt Barnes, Eduard Bazardo, Brayan Bello, Ryan Brasier, Kutter Crawford, Austin Davis, Nathan Eovaldi, Jay Groome, Darwinzon Hernandez, Tanner Houck, Bryan Mata, Nick Pivetta, Chris Sale, Hirokazu Sawamura, Connor Seabold, Josh Taylor, Phillips Valdez, Garrett Whitlock, Josh Winckowski

Catchers (4): Ronaldo Hernández, Kevin Plawecki, Christian Vázquez, Connor Wong

Infielders (6): Jonathan Araúz, Christian Arroyo, Xander Bogaerts, Bobby Dalbec, Rafael Devers, Hudson Potts

Outfielders (6): Jarren Duran, Tim Locastro, J.D. Martinez, Hunter Renfroe, Jeisson Rosario, Alex Verdugo

Infielder/Outfielders (2): Jeter Downs, Kiké Hernández

 

Sox Exercise Option on Vázquez

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BOSTON – (Staff Report from Official Club News Release) – The Boston Red Sox exercised their club option on veteran catcher Christian Vázquez for the 2022 season. Red Sox Chief Baseball Officer Chaim Bloom made the decision.

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Vázquez, 31, played in 614 major league games, all with the Red Sox. He was selected by Boston in the ninth round of the 2008 MLB Draft and ranks seventh in franchise history with 573 games at catcher. A 2018 World Series champion, he has appeared in 25 postseason games, second most among Red Sox catchers behind only Jason Varitek (62).

In 2021, Vázquez matched a career high with 138 games played. He led the majors in innings caught (1,051.1), the most by a Red Sox backstop since Varitek in 2008 (1,064.1). The Puerto Rican native was voted the American League’s best defensive catcher by managers and coaches in Baseball America’s annual Best Tools survey, finishing the season with 18 runners caught stealing and three pickoffs. In addition to his 132 games at catcher, Vázquez appeared in two games at third base, two at second base, and one at first base.

Vázquez has hit .259 (527-for-2,035) with 46 home runs and 224 RBI in his career. In 2021, he batted .258 (118-for-458) with six home runs, 49 RBI, 51 runs scored, and a .659 OPS, also leading the Red Sox with eight stolen bases. He went 9-for-32 (.281) in 11 Postseason games, including 6-for-16 (.375) with one home run and four RBI in the Division Series.