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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Connor Wong Connor Wong Top catcher heading into spring Thu, Feb 8, 2024, 7:38 AM Wong is expected to be Boston's primary catcher to start the 2024 season, Peter Abraham of the Boston Globe reports. Analysis: Wong appears set to lead what might be considered an assemblage of backup catchers, ahead of Reese McGuire, Tyler Heineman and Roberto Perez. Wong and McGuire handled catching chores in 2023 with the former taking over as the primary backstop when the latter went down with an oblique injury last summer. Over 121 games (105 as a starting catcher), Wong slashed .235/.288/.385 and was strikeout prone (33.3 K%). Much of his real-world value lay in his work gunning down base stealers. Per Baseball Savant, the 27-year-old ranked in the 92nd percentile in caught-stealing above average. It's been a quiet offseason for the Red Sox, who appear to be biding time behind the dish until 2023 first-round draft pick Kyle Teel -- he reached Double-A Portland last year -- is ready for the show.
Dalton Guthrie Dalton Guthrie Receives MiLB deal from Boston Wed, Feb 7, 2024, 12:26 PM Guthrie signed a minor-league contract with the Red Sox on Tuesday. Analysis: Guthrie has slashed .244/.393/.333 over 37 games in limited action with the Phillies during the previous two seasons. The 28-year-old has experience at every position other than first base and catcher, so he'll give the Red Sox some versatile depth.
Max Castillo Max Castillo Jettisoned from 40-man Fri, Feb 2, 2024, 1:06 PM Castillo was designated for assignment by the Red Sox on Friday, Rob Bradford of WEEI.com reports. Analysis: The move frees up a spot on the 40-man roster for Tyler Heineman. Castillo had been claimed off waivers by the Red Sox a month ago and will now go through the waiver process again.
Tyler Heineman Tyler Heineman Dealt to Boston Fri, Feb 2, 2024, 1:04 PM The Red Sox acquired Heineman from the Mets on Friday in exchange for cash considerations, Rob Bradford of WEEI.com reports. Analysis: Heineman had been claimed off waivers by the Mets earlier this offseason but was designated for assignment earlier this week. The 32-year-old catcher has an option year remaining and seems likely to begin 2024 at Triple-A Worcester.
Joe Dunand Joe Dunand Latches on with Boston Thu, Feb 1, 2024, 10:10 AM Dunand signed a minor-league contract with the Red Sox on Wednesday. Analysis: Dunand, 28, spent the 2023 season at Triple-A Gwinnett in the Atlanta organization, posting an .844 OPS with 17 home runs in 95 games. He got a cup of coffee with the Marlins in 2022 and went 3-for-10 with a home run. Dunand will give the Red Sox utility infield depth at Triple-A Worcester in 2024, and he's also capable of filling in as a left fielder in a pinch.
Zack Weiss Zack Weiss Exits 40-man roster Wed, Jan 31, 2024, 1:38 PM Weiss was designated for assignment by the Red Sox on Wednesday, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports. Analysis: He's clearing out to make room on the 40-man roster for waiver claim Romy Gonzalez. Weiss, 31, holds a 4.61 ERA and 33:15 K:BB over 27.1 frames during his parts of three seasons in the majors.
Romy Gonzalez Romy Gonzalez Changes Sox from White to Red Wed, Jan 31, 2024, 1:35 PM The Red Sox claimed Gonzalez (shoulder) off waivers from the White Sox on Wednesday, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports. Analysis: It's unclear whether Gonzalez will be ready for Opening Day after having surgery on his right shoulder labrum last July, which could have affected the White Sox' decision to try to slip him through waivers. The Red Sox were happy to put in a claim, though, for a guy with defensive versatility and a 90.4 mph average exit velocity during his 86 games in the majors. Gonzalez also has a 36 percent strikeout rate and 2.1 percent walk rate during that span, numbers which surely will need to improve if he wants to make an impact in Boston.
Melvin Adon Melvin Adon Nets MiLB deal from Red Sox Wed, Jan 31, 2024, 12:07 PM Adon signed a minor-league contract with the Red Sox on Jan. 24. Analysis: Adon, 29, was once a highly thought of relief prospect in the Giants organization, but that was several years ago. He spent the bulk of 2023 at Triple-A Sacramento, posting a 7.43 ERA and 50:37 K:BB over 40 innings. Adon will likely begin 2024 at Triple-A Worcester.
Cooper Criswell Cooper Criswell Coming to camp as starter Mon, Jan 22, 2024, 9:33 AM Criswell will enter spring training prepared to be a starting pitcher, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports. Analysis: All 10 of Criswell's appearances in the majors in 2023 came in relief, but they were mostly of the bulk relief variety, as he went no less than two innings and as many as 4.2 frames across those 10 outings. The 27-year-old made 17 starts (and six relief appearances) last year at Triple-A Durham. Winning a rotation spot with the Red Sox is unlikely, but Criswell does have an option remaining, so he could open the 2024 campaign in Triple-A Worcester's rotation. Long relief with the big club is also a possibility.
Brayan Bello Brayan Bello Will use slider more often in '24 Sat, Jan 20, 2024, 1:39 PM Bello said Saturday that he has been working on commanding his slider during the offseason and plans on making it a "significant part of his mix" this season, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports. Analysis: Bello was able to significantly improve his command last season; however, he saw his K/9 drop from 8.6 in 2022 to 7.6 in '23. The 24-year-old righty has developed a reputation as a ground-ball pitcher during his two seasons in the majors, relying mostly on his sinker and changeup. If Bello is able to successfully fine-tune his slider, he may be able to produce the strikeout totals necessary to join the next tier of fantasy starters.