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Invited to spring training
Tue, Jan 28, 2025, 9:30 PM
The Red Sox have extended Anthony an invitation to big-league camp during spring training, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.
Analysis: He'll be joined by fellow top prospects Kristian Campbell and Marcelo Mayer. Anthony won't turn 21 until May but looks close to major-league ready after slashing .291/.396/.498 with 18 homers and 21 stolen bases between Double-A Portland and Triple-A Worcester in 2024. Boston's outfield is already crowded, which makes an Opening Day roster spot for Anthony unlikely, but he could force the issue sooner rather than later. |
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Abraham Toro Abraham Toro NRI pact from Boston
Tue, Jan 28, 2025, 4:05 PM
The Red Sox signed Toro to a minor-league contract Tuesday that includes an invitation to spring training, Daniel Alvarez-Montes of ElExtraBase.com reports.
Analysis: Toro slashed .240/.293/.350 with six homers in 94 games with the Athletics in 2024. The 28-year-old will compete for a reserve role this spring but will likely begin the 2025 season at Triple-A Worcester as utility depth. |
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Mark Kolozsvary Mark Kolozsvary Returning to Boston
Thu, Jan 23, 2025, 8:27 PM
Kolozsvary signed a minor-league contract with the Red Sox on Thursday that includes an invitation to spring training, Kiley McDaniel of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: Kolozsvary spent all of last season at Triple-A Worcester, where he slashed .185/.349/.354 with 10 RBI across 83 plate appearances. He'll stick around in the Red Sox organization for the upcoming season, though he's unlikely to spend much time with the big-league squad. |
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Lucas Giolito Lucas Giolito Ramping up to spring training
Thu, Jan 23, 2025, 1:19 PM
Giolito (elbow) has thrown four bullpen sessions this winter and expects to be a "full-go" when spring training begins next month, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports. "The progression of my rehab at this point pretty much has me right in line with where I would be as a healthy player," he said.
Analysis: An elbow injury during 2024 spring training wiped out the first season of Giolito's two-year contract with Boston. Prior to the injury, the right-hander altered the grip on his slider, worked on his changeup and tweaked pitch usages, designed to avoid the results of 2023, when he ceded 41 home runs (2.0 HR/9). Whether the tweaks led to the injury is unknown, but Giolito continued to hone those offerings during the current ramp-up to 2025. The 30-year-old enters camp as one of six viable starters, and the Red Sox haven't ruled out using a six-man rotation. |
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In mix at second base
Wed, Jan 22, 2025, 11:59 AM
Campbell will be part of the competition during spring training for the starting job at second base, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Of Boston's top prospects, Campbell has the clearest path to a spot on the the major-league roster because of his defensive versatility. The Red Sox don't have a surefire starter at the keystone at this point, and Campbell will join Vaughn Grissom as the top candidates for the position. Campbell didn't start 2024 as a highly regarded prospect, but he put himself on the radar by slashing .329/.437/.551 with 19 home runs, 24 steals and a 20 percent strikeout rate in 115 games across the top three levels of the minor leagues. |
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Dealt to Boston
Fri, Jan 17, 2025, 7:07 PM
The Red Sox acquired McShane from the Pirates on Friday in exchange for Chase Shugart, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.
Analysis: McShane has yet to make his pro debut after being taken in the 14th round of the 2024 First-Year Player Draft. The 22-year-old reliever figures to be assigned to the lower levels of Boston's minor-league system. |
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Jarren Duran Jarren Duran Avoids arbitration
Fri, Jan 17, 2025, 5:00 PM
The Red Sox and Duran avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $3.75 million contract with an $8 million club option for 2026 on Friday, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.
Analysis: The club option could escalate up to $12 million based on where Duran finishes in the 2025 American League MVP voting. This was the first of four arbitration years for Duran, as he earned an extra year as a Super 2 qualifier. The 28-year-old slashed .285/.342/.492 with 21 home runs and 34 stolen bases for the Red Sox in 2024. |
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Sean Newcomb Sean Newcomb Catches on with Boston
Fri, Jan 17, 2025, 3:11 PM
The Red Sox signed Newcomb to a minor-league contract Friday that includes an invitation to spring training, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.
Analysis: Newcomb got into seven games with the Athletics this past season, allowing seven runs with a 7:8 K:BB over 10 innings. The 31-year-old left-hander is likely to open 2025 in the Triple-A Worcester bullpen. |
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Gets NRI from Boston
Fri, Jan 17, 2025, 3:07 PM
The Red Sox signed Cruz to a minor-league contract Friday that includes an invitation to spring training, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.
Analysis: Cruz, 25, spent the 2024 season at Double-A San Antonio in the Padres organization, holding a 4.55 ERA and 35:16 K:BB over 29.2 frames. The reliever is likely to begin the 2025 campaign at Triple-A Worcester. |
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Garrett Whitlock Garrett Whitlock Battling for rotation spot
Wed, Feb 14, 2024, 11:51 AM
Whitlock is preparing to compete for a spot in the Red Sox's Opening Day rotation this spring, Mac Cerullo of the Boston Herald reports.
Analysis: Fully healthy again after battling elbow issues at various points last season, Whitlock threw his first live batting practice of spring training Wednesday, according to Ian Browne of MLB.com reports. Though Whitlock opened the 2023 campaign as a starter, he worked out of the bullpen over his final 12 appearances upon returning in August following his third stint on the injured list. In November, chief baseball officer Craig Breslow told Alex Speier of The Boston Globe that the Red Sox planned to have Whitlock get stretched back out for a starting role heading into the spring training, and the right-hander looks like he's right where he needs to be in his buildup program at this stage of camp. Lucas Giolito, Brayan Bello, Nick Pivetta and Kutter Crawford project as the Red Sox's top four starters in some order to begin spring training, leaving Whitlock to battle with Tanner Houck and Josh Winckowski for the final spot, which became open after Chris Sale was traded to Atlanta in December. |
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Kenley Jansen Kenley Jansen Dealing with lat soreness
Wed, Feb 14, 2024, 10:40 AM
Jansen reported to spring training Wednesday but won't immediately start a throwing program due to general lat soreness, Alex Speier of The Boston Globe reports.
Analysis: Everything initially appeared to be in order after the veteran closer's individual workout Wednesday morning, but Boston GM Craig Breslow then announced the lat injury. It's believed to be a mild issue, but coming into spring training with a new injury is always a concerning development. Jansen said he hopes to being throwing in about a week, per Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald. |
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Kenley Jansen Kenley Jansen Present for spring training
Wed, Feb 14, 2024, 10:07 AM
Jansen performed an individual workout at spring training Wednesday and doesn't appear to have any physical limitations heading into the regular season, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.
Analysis: Jansen didn't pitch after Sept. 12 last season following a stint on the COVID-19 injured list, but he had a normal offseason and is preparing to return to his familiar role as the Red Sox's closer. However, with Jansen in the final year of his contract and with the Red Sox not profiling as a major contender in the American League coming off an 84-loss season, Boston is reportedly listening to trade offers for the 36-year-old reliever, per Christopher Smith and Sean McAdam of The Springfield Republican. Jansen is no longer one of the game's elite closers, but he was still serviceable enough when healthy in 2023, logging a 3.63 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 52:17 K:BB in 44.2 innings while converting 29 of 33 save chances. |
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Ceddanne Rafaela Ceddanne Rafaela Competing for CF job
Tue, Feb 13, 2024, 9:06 AM
Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Tuesday that, if Rafaela makes the Opening Day roster, he would likely be the team's center fielder, Alex Speier of The Boston Globe reports.
Analysis: Jarren Duran is the favorite to be the team's Opening Day center fielder but would presumably slide over to right field to accommodate Rafaela, who has the superior glove. Rafaela started hot but eventually cooled off during his first shot with the Red Sox in 2023, ultimately finishing with a .241/.281/.386 batting line with two home runs, three stolen bases and a 28:4 K:BB over 28 contests. The 23-year-old could change the narrative with a strong spring, but he seems likelier to start 2024 at Triple-A Worcester for the time being. |
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Masataka Yoshida Masataka Yoshida Expected to be primary DH
Tue, Feb 13, 2024, 8:56 AM
Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Tuesday that he expects Yoshida to receive the majority of the at-bats at designated hitter, Alex Speier of The Boston Globe reports.
Analysis: It's the direction things have been pointing after Yoshida struggled defensively in left field in his first year in Boston. Tyler O'Neill is slated to play left field for the Red Sox, while Wilyer Abreu looks like the early favorite to handle right field, at least against right-handed pitching. Yoshida slashed .289/.338/.445 with 15 home runs in 2023 but had just a .663 OPS after the All-Star break. |
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Lucas Luetge Lucas Luetge Joins Red Sox organization
Sat, Feb 10, 2024, 8:56 PM
Luetge announced on his Twitter account Saturday that he will be joining the Red Sox organization.
Analysis: Luetge had a bumpy 2023 season, which ended with him being outrighted to Triple-A. The 36-year-old went unclaimed after being designated for assignment by Atlanta, where he posted a 7.24 ERA in 12 appearances. Back in 2022, the veteran had a 2.67 ERA in 57.1 innings for the Yankees. |
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John Schreiber John Schreiber Early arrival
Sat, Feb 10, 2024, 8:38 AM
Schreiber arrived at Fenway South in Fort Myers (Fla.) early and has been working out since Jan. 11, Peter Abraham of the Boston Globe reports.
Analysis: Schreiber missed nearly two months last season with a shoulder strain and is motivated to get the arm in shape for the regular season. "I feel great," he said. "I'm fully healthy. I wanted to get down here early and get started building up." The right-hander earned the trust of Boston manager Alex Cora during the 2022 season (2.22 ERA, eight saves) and was leaned upon for high-leverage situations when healthy last season. |
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Tanner Houck Tanner Houck Role not yet known
Fri, Feb 9, 2024, 10:28 PM
Houck is preparing as a starter but could be needed as a reliever if the Red Sox trade closer Kenley Jansen, Peter Abraham of the Boston Globe reports.
Analysis: Houck will begin spring training on a starter's track, but he'll be one of seven pitchers with a chance of making the rotation. Those that lose out will head to the bullpen, which could need a closer, as Jansen's name has popped up in trade rumors the past week. Houck had experience as a closer in 2022, but his first passion is starting, and the right-hander used the offseason to improve his arsenal. Specifically, he worked on the horizontal break of his slider, getting more action on the sinker and tinkered with a splitter, a pitch he threw only 11 percent of the time in 2023. In 21 starts last season, Houck went 6-10 with a 5.01 ERA and career-high 1.2 HR/9 over 106 innings. |
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Tyler O'Neill Tyler O'Neill Expected to be primary left fielder
Fri, Feb 9, 2024, 8:31 AM
O'Neill is expected to see most of his playing time for the Red Sox this season in left field, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Boston isn't giving up hope of Masataka Yoshida improving his outfield defense, but at the moment it sounds like most of his starts will be out of the designated hitter spot. The trickle-down effect means there's an opening in right field, where Wilyer Abreu looks like the favorite to start. Worth keeping in mind, however, is that the Red Sox have been connected to some free-agent outfielders, which would shake things up. |
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Michael Fulmer Michael Fulmer Agrees to deal with Boston
Thu, Feb 8, 2024, 8:45 AM
Fulmer (elbow) signed a two-year, minor-league contract with the Red Sox on Feb. 2.
Analysis: Fulmer is expected to miss 2024 following UCL revision surgery, so he'll rehab with the Red Sox this year before joining their bullpen in 2025, assuming all goes well. The veteran right-hander held a 4.42 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 65:28 K:BB across 57 innings in 2023 with the Cubs before getting injured. |
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Inks deal with Boston
Thu, Feb 8, 2024, 8:22 AM
Adams signed a minor-league contract with Boston on Tuesday, Peter Abraham of the Boston Globe reports.
Analysis: Adams was a fifth-year senior at Mount Saint Mary's University that went undrafted in 2023. The right-hander spent his first three collegiate seasons at the University of Maryland-Baltimore County (UMBC). He posted a 4.70 ERA in 2023 while leading the Mountaineers' rotation with 14 starts. Adams popped onto the radar in January while throwing at Tread Athletics' annual pro day. Per Ryan Domingues of Tread Athletics, Adams surprised evaluators with a mid-90s fastball, topping out at 96.8 mph, higher than his previous best of 94.9. Along with that, he showcased a sinker, slider and changeup. |
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