Red Sox acquire OF Alejandro De Aza and cash considerations from Baltimore for Minor League RHP Joe Gunkel
RHP Brandon Workman transferred to 60-day DL
The Boston Red Sox today acquired outfielder Alejandro De Aza and cash considerations from the Baltimore Orioles in exchange for minor league right-handed pitcher Joe Gunkel. To make room for him on the 40-man roster, right-handed pitcher Brandon Workman was transferred to the 60-day disabled list. De Aza is expected to join the Red Sox for tomorrow's home game against the Minnesota Twins beginning at 4:05 p.m.
De Aza, 31, has appeared in 30 games for the Orioles this season, including 27 starts between left field (19) and right field (8). The left-handed batter has hit .214 (22-for-103) with four doubles, a triple, three homers, seven RBI, 16 runs scored, and two stolen bases in 2015, with all eight of his extra-base hits coming against right-handed pitching. He had been designated for assignment on May 27.
A veteran of parts of eight major league seasons with the Marlins (2007, 2009), White Sox (2010-14), and Orioles (2014-15), De Aza has hit .265 (546-for-2,057) with 107 doubles, 24 triples, 41 home runs, 196 RBI, and 81 stolen bases in 596 career major league games. He has played more than 130 games in each of the past three seasons, and served as Chicago's primary leadoff hitter from 2012-13. The native of Guaymote, Dominican Republic is one of 13 players with at least 150 extra-base hits and 75 stolen bases in the American League since the start of 2011. In six career postseason games, all with the Orioles last year, he is 7-for-21 (.333) with three doubles and three RBI.
Gunkel, 23, has split time this season between High-A Salem and Double-A Portland, combining to go 3-2 with two saves, a 2.90 ERA (13 ER/40.1 IP), and 44 strikeouts in 12 outings, including five starts. Selected by the Red Sox in the 18th round of the 2013 June Draft, the native of Boynton Beach, FL played parts of three seasons in the Red Sox farm system, going 12-7 with nine saves, a 3.05 ERA (56 ER/165.0 IP) and 178 strikeouts in 54 outings between 20 starts and 34 relief appearances. He was named a mid-season All-Star in the Short-A New York-Penn League in 2013 and in the Single-A South Atlantic League in 2014.
Workman, 26, was originally optioned to Triple-A Pawtucket to begin the year, but had his option reversed and has spent the season on Boston's 15-day disabled list with a right elbow strain. The right-hander has pitched in 39 major league games in his career, including 18 starts, all with the Red Sox from 2013-14. Selected by the Red Sox in the second round of the 2010 June Draft, the native of Arlington, TX has gone 7-13 with a 5.11 ERA (73 ER/128.2 IP) and 117 strikeouts in the big leagues and also appeared in seven postseason games during the Red Sox' run to the 2013 World Series Championship.