Red Sox make 3 additional roster cuts, reassign veteran to minor league camp
The Red Sox made three spring training roster cuts on Monday. The club reassigned right-handed pitchers Austin Adams, Isaiah Campbell, and Noah Davis to minor league camp.
Boston now has 52 players, including 15 non-roster invitees remaining in big league camp. The team is expected to make significant roster cuts on Wednesday.
“By Friday we should have a better idea,” Alex Cora said Monday at JetBlue Park.
The 33-year-old Adams struggled in Grapefruit League action, allowing six runs (five earned runs) in 4 2/3 innings. He struggled with his control on the mound, walking seven batters.
Adams signed with the Red Sox the offseason that included a $1.5 million deal that includes bonus money, providing he made the Major League roster. The right-hander is coming off posting a 3.92 ERA with a 4.47 FIP and a 1.476 WHIP with the Athletics last season.
Campbell, 27, made the Red Sox Opening Day roster last season but spent the majority of the year either on the injured list or with Triple-A Worcester.
The righty was designated for assignment on Nov. 19, and then he was non-tendered. Campbell returned to Boston on a minor-league deal. This spring, he came into camp in better shape, losing 25-30 pounds. This spring, he allowed six runs off 10 hits with five walks while striking out three in 5 1/3 innings.
Davis, 27, allowed five runs off seven with one walk while striking out nine in 9 1/3 innings. He has appeared in 18 big league games, making six starts. Unless he has an opt-out in his minor league pact, he will serve as bullpen depth in Worcester.
‘BIG 3’ STILL HANGING AROUND
It’s not completely clear whether or not any of the Red Sox' top prospects will make the Opening Day roster, but Cora made it clear under the right circumstances, they have a chance.
“I think it’s fair to say it,” Cora told reporters Sunday, including MLB.com’s Ian Browne. “There’s still development, but at the same time you see it. But that at-bat yesterday by Roman against the lefty, that was a mature bat, and we’ve seen that through camp. He played some good outfield in Jupiter. He moved well. Marcelo’s doing the same thing. Campbell has struggled. That’s part of it, right? Like, not everybody is going to be able to slow it down in camp and be perfect, but that’s part of the progression.”
Roman Anthony, who is the top offensive prospect in baseball, is 6-for-22 (.273) with one homer and eight RBI in 10 spring training games. The Red Sox outfield is crowded with Jarren Duran, Ceddanne Rafaela, Wilyer Abreu, and Rob Refsnyder all on the depth chart. It’s likely Anthony gets the call to the bigs this season, but out of camp, it seems unlikely.
Marcelo Mayer is slashing .360/.429/.989 with one home run and seven RBI in Grapefruit League action. The 22-year-old has been good this spring but is running into the same situation as Anthony. The infield is jam-packed with Rafael Devers and Trevor Story locking down the left side of the infield. The top shortstop prospect needs time at Triple-A. Mayer was on the injured list when the Red Sox promoted him last August.
Kristian Campbell came into camp with the best chance to make the Opening Day roster. Boston was looking at him to potentially be their starting second baseman. Campbell hasn’t seized the opportunity, batting just .152 this spring. The likelihood he makes the Opening Day roster as the starting second baseman seems bleak. David Hamilton appears to be the favorite to win that job. He’s blasted two homers with six RBI and five stolen bases.
Red Sox announce Garrett Crochet as their Opening Day starter; Houck and Buehler to follow
It should be no surprise that the Red Sox named left-hander Garrett Crochet as their Opening Day starter. The southpaw was acquired back in December for this very moment and to lead the rotation.