The Red Sox a series of roster moves to reporters, including Ian Browne of MLB.com. Right-hander Garrett Whitlock is heading to the 15-day injured list, with right hip inflammation, retroactive to June 9. Fellow righty Phillips Valdez, who was just optioned yesterday for the activation of Hansel Robles, will take his roster spot. Optional assignments usually require a 15-day minimum stint before returning to the roster, though exceptions are made when a player goes on the IL or for double-headers. Additionally, the previously-reported selection of outfielder Rob Refsnyder has been made official, with infielder Jonathan Arauz being designated for assignment to create a spot for him.
A native of Panama, Arauz was originally signed by the Phillies as an international free agent back in 2014. The following year, he was traded to the Astros as part of the Ken Giles deal. The Red Sox selected him in the 2019 Rule 5 draft, with Arauz sticking on the roster through the entirety of the pandemic-shortened 2020 season.
Of course, the Red Sox were undergoing a miserable season in 2020, finishing dead last in the AL East with a record of 24-36. As the team has put some distance between themselves and that campaign, Arauz has done little to justify hanging onto a roster spot. In 59 career games over the past three seasons, he’s hit .204/.280/.320 for a wRC+ of 62. Even in Triple-A, things haven’t gone much better, as Arauz has hit just .228/.303/.329 in 92 career games there.
The Red Sox will now have a week to trade him or put him on waivers. Despite his light-hitting stat line, he could still garner some interest, as he is still very young at only 23 years old, making it possible he still has some development ahead of him. He also brings versatility to the table, as he is a switch-hitter and is capable of playing shortstop, second base and third base. He still has options remaining, meaning a team that acquires him could keep him in Triple-A for depth purposes.
As for Whitlock, he was scheduled to start Sunday’s game, meaning the club will have a rotation hole to fill. He started the year in the bullpen but has gradually been shifted into the rotation. He was getting better results as a reliever, though it’s possible this hip issue has contributed to his dampened results. Through the end of April, he had a 0.54 ERA, though it’s been 5.06 since.
Getting cut for the future hall of famer.
Do you think Refsnyder goes in as a Yankee or Ray?
Refsnyder goes in as Yankee and Blake Swihart goes in as Red Sox
It’s time for some new material boys. The Refsnyder/Swihart stuff stopped being funny like 3 years ago, and about 5 minutes after the first 700 people made the same joke. How long you gonna beat this dead horse?
Hahah thank you for your sense of humor 😉
Speak for yourself man. I still appreciate the Resynder/Swihart comments.
So Arauz was more important to bring up 2 days ago when Kiké went on the IL than Duran, even though Duran plays the same position and has already played well in the few games he’s gotten into, and now Arauz can be DFAed to make room for Refsnyder, another player who isn’t as good or dynamic a player as Duran. It’s almost as if someone is afraid if Duran gets a decent amount of playing time it might make it harder to give the starting spot back to Kiké.
I think they want to give Duran consistent playing time. No sense in bringing him up and down once again. They’ve already done that twice and need to make sure they do what’s best to get the best production out of him. The other guys are more polished in the moment, aside from Arauz who should be DFA’d.
Arauz is a utility infielder. He doesn’t play the same position as Duran. Also, the Red Sox are facing 2 lefties in the next 3 games, Refsnyder is a righty and Duran is a lefty. Duran’s defense is suspect and his arm is non-existent. Duran is fast. But that hardly makes him dynamic. And of course. The Red Sox want to continue to play Kiké even though they know Duran is better and Kiké is in the last year of his contract. That’s it exactly. Because Kiké has unflattering photographs of John Henry or something.
A decent arm has never been a requirement for Red Sox CF’ers.
Damon and Ellsbury are Exhibits A & B.
@FeverPitchGuy Chaim tends to prefer better defensive guys. Kike isn’t perfect but he’s great in CF and then there’s Bradley. You already know this but wasn’t sure where your argument was going…
JBJ would disagree.
As would Reggie Smith.
Or they want to see if Kiké can get on a good run for a bit so they can trade him for two bags of baseballs as opposed to just one bag.
Kiki is on a good run, and no, he is not getting traded.
Arauz was brought up because Cora explicitly said he wanted to get both Bogaerts and Story a day off, and unfortunately, the Sox are using their backup middle infielder in a right field platoon.
Yes, Cora has a habit of intentionally trying to forfeit games by benching players when he obviously shouldn’t.
I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt with Xander, as he did have recent shoulder tightness. But Cora certainly should have switched Story’s day off to Wednesday or yesterday, with Xander having played in each game. The way Cora often gives a day of rest to multiple regulars at the same time is inexcusable.
Cora has a habit of intentionally trying to forfeit games by benching players when he obviously shouldn’t.
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As explained before, many managers give days off on a schedule, and not randomly.
And that “someone” is Cora, supporting his boys. Thus, Valdez, a horrible pitcher, comes back up to the majors.
LOL! Bloom is the GM. Do you actually think, even for a second, that Cora tells Bloom that he wants Valdez on the team because he is Hispanic? If you truly believe that, you need help.
Duran couldn’t be brought back up. He has to wait 15 days to be brought back up unless there is an injury.
If you actually read the article, it makes this clear.
My point was Duran should have been called back up when Kiké went on the IL. Part of the problem here is the team’s refusal to consider playing Story at SS for fear of hurting Bogaerts’ feelings.
for fear of hurting Bogaerts’ feelings.
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If I read Story’s comments correctly, he and the RS agreed that he would only play 2nd.
Duran was optioned to AAA on June 6th, so they can’t call him up until 15 days after that. (just fyi, not disagreeing with anyone)
They can because Kike went on the IL. This was clearly spelled out,
They could call him up before those 15 days if he’s replacing a player who goes on the IL. That’s why even though Valdez was optioned on the 9th he could be brought right back up the next day when Whitlock went on the IL. So when Kiké went on the IL on June 8th Duran could have been brought back up.
I see. So the 15 days is easily bypassed.
Finally, this guy might be good in the field but he’s a nightmare at the plate.
Arauz will get picked up. He was given plenty of opportunity…a lot more than most minor leaguers get. . Rob Refsnyder better catch lightning in a bottle or he will be playing with Swihart in the Atlantic League.
Longer term, the Red Sox have some decisions to make with their pitching. If Paxton and Sale are healthy, they are both in the rotation. Eovaldi and Pivetta are also in the rotation. Wacha, Hill, Houck and Whitlock are all variables. That may or may not play itself out. They have about six “serviceable” bullpen pieces in Davis, Diekman, Danish, Robles, Sawamura, Schreiber, and maybe Strahm, but Barnes and Brasier are not good at all. The problem is that none of them is a lock down closer and only a couple of them are even reliable at setup. I will say that they are now winning the one run games instead of losing them like earlier in the year, so there is progress. I think they need to find a closer (Robertson, Rosenthal, et al?) or establish Whitlock and/or Houck in the role. Personally, I’d rather see those two in the rotation down the road, but maybe not yet.
I think the Sox wouldn’t mind losing Arauz, esp. if he could bring a low- or high-A reliever in return who has some promise. However, it isn’t likely the club is seriously considering Fitzgerald as the new AAA utility depth (yet) because of his K rate. If no one claims Arauz, then he’ll just go back to Worcester having lost his 40-man slot–he won’t be released because he can still round out a trade. As for Houck pitching the 9th Friday night and getting out of a jam, I hope they really are considering trying him in a closer role, one who can give them up to 6 outs if needed. I’ve always thought he might have the mental toughness.
It would be interesting to see the Sox pick up Daniel Bard.
Trey Mancini would be nice too.
Having options remaining, he’s a lock to be added for AAA depth piece. His bat was always suspect vs. prospect.
My simple question is why didn’t they bring Duran back up?
Duran couldn’t be brought back up. He has to wait 15 days to be brought back up unless there is an injury.
If you actually read the article, it makes this clear.
I am hoping the A’s get him from the redsox. He would be better player than what the A’s have on the team right now. Young enough where he can get better.
I always liked the guy. Hopefully we keep him, but my guess is that someone has to take a shot at him.
My fellow panamanian. he is too young. If he gets picked up by a no contending team would be good for him. maybe the Orioles, As, Royals, Nationals.