Red Sox add three players to 40-man roster, announce additional moves
The Boston Red Sox today announced the following roster moves:
· Infielder Marco Hernandez and right-handed pitcher Pat Light were selected to the major league roster from Triple-A Pawtucket.
· Left-handed pitcher Williams Jerez was selected to the major league roster from Double-A Portland.
· Right-handed pitcher Anthony Varvaro was outrighted from the major league roster and has elected free agency.
· Infielder Josh Rutledge was designated for assignment.
With these transactions, Boston's 40-man roster is now at 40.
President of Baseball Operations David Dombrowski made the announcement.
Hernandez, 23, made his Red Sox organization debut in 2015, batting .305 (141-for-463) with a .454 slugging percentage in 114 games between Portland and Pawtucket. The left-handed hitter ranked second among Red Sox minor leaguers in batting average while making 88 starts at shortstop, 15 at second base, and five at third base. A native of Santiago, Dominican Republic, Hernandez was named MVP of the Eastern League All-Star Game after going 2-for-2 with a home run as the starting shortstop and leadoff hitter for the Eastern squad. Acquired from the Chicago Cubs on December 15, 2014 to complete the trade for left-handed pitcher Felix Doubront, Hernandez has hit .280 (619-for-2,212) with 111 doubles, 29 triples, and 26 home runs in 577 career minor league games.
Jerez, 23, was named Red Sox Minor League Pitcher of the Year in 2015, combining with Single-A Greenville, High-A Salem, and Portland to go 5-3 with four saves and a 2.54 ERA (25 ER/88.2 IP) in 41 appearances, all in relief. In his final eight outings with the Sea Dogs, the left-hander posted a 1.93 ERA (3 ER/14.0 IP) with 15 strikeouts while holding opponents to a .156 batting average (7-for-45). Originally signed by the Red Sox in the second round of the 2011 June Draft, Jerez spent his first three professional seasons as an outfielder before converting to a pitcher in 2014. In 55 career minor league relief appearances, the Santiago, Dominican Republic native is 9-5 with a 2.63 ERA (36 ER/123.0 IP) and 126 strikeouts against 42 walks.
Light, 24, went 3-5 with five saves, a 3.88 ERA (27 ER/62.2 IP), .211 opponent batting average (49-for-232), .297 opponent slugging percentage, and 67 strikeouts in 47 appearances between Portland (21 games) and Pawtucket (26 games) in 2015. Light was especially effective against right-handed hitters, holding them to a .186 batting average (27-for-145), .248 slugging percentage, and only five extra-base hits. The Red Sox' third selection (37th overall) in the 2012 June Draft, Light was converted to a full-time reliever in 2015 after making 49 starts from 2012-14. A native of Colts Neck, New Jersey, the right-hander is 12-17 with a 4.64 ERA (134 ER/259.2 IP) and 204 strikeouts in 97 career minor league appearances.
Varvaro, 31, was limited to just nine relief appearances in his first season with Boston due to a right flexor strain. The New York native went 0-1 with a 4.09 ERA (5 ER/11.0 IP), six walks, and eight strikeouts for the Red Sox before being placed on the 15-day disabled list on May 24 (retroactive to April 29). He underwent successful surgery to remove elbow calcification in his right arm on May 26 at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City, and was transferred to the 60-day disabled list on May 27. In six seasons in the majors with Seattle (2010), Atlanta (2011-14), and Boston (2015), Varvaro has posted a 7-9 record with one save alongside a 3.23 ERA (66 ER/183.2 IP), 70 walks, and 150 strikeouts in 166 outings, all in relief.
Rutledge, 26, played in 39 games for the Red Sox after being acquired from the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim on July 27 in exchange for Shane Victorino. The Birmingham, Alabama native hit .284 (21-for-74) with 11 runs, one double, one home run, 10 RBI, and five walks, making 19 starts and appearing at second base (30 games) and third base (five games) defensively. Prior to joining Boston, he combined to hit .286 (92-for-322) with 51 runs, 21 doubles, four triples, six home runs, 34 RBI, and three stolen bases in 81 games between Los Angeles' Triple-A Salt Lake Bees (78 games) and Rookie-level Arizona League Angels (three games). Over four major league seasons with Colorado (2012-14) and Boston (2015), Rutledge has hit .261 (247-for-945) with 137 runs, 43 doubles, 13 triples, 20 home runs, 99 RBI, and 21 stolen bases in 305 games.
BOSTON RED SOX 40-MAN ROSTER (40)
PITCHERS (22): Jonathan Aro, Matt Barnes, Clay Buchholz, Edwin Escobar, Heath Hembree, Williams Jerez, Brian Johnson, Joe Kelly, Craig Kimbrel, Tommy Layne, Pat Light, Roman Mendez, Wade Miley, Henry Owens, Rick Porcello, Noe Ramirez, Eduardo Rodriguez, Robbie Ross Jr., Junichi Tazawa, Koji Uehara, Brandon Workman, Steven Wright.
CATCHERS (3): Ryan Hanigan, Blake Swihart, Christian Vazquez.
INFIELDERS (10): Xander Bogaerts, Garin Cecchini, Sean Coyle, Marco Hernandez, Brock Holt, Deven Marrero, Dustin Pedroia, Hanley Ramirez, Pablo Sandoval, Travis Shaw.
OUTFIELDERS (4): Mookie Betts, Jackie Bradley Jr., Bryce Brentz, Rusney Castillo.
DESIGNATED HITTER (1): David Ortiz.
Read More: Boston Red Sox