Red Sox make 5 roster cuts including optioning Vaughn Grissom to Triple-A Worcester

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The Red Sox made five roster moves on Wednesday, optioning infielder Vaughn Grissom and right-handed pitchers Josh Winckowski and Luis Guerrero to Triple-A Worcester. The team also reassigned catcher/first baseman Nathan Hickey and catcher Mark Kolozsvary to minor league camp.

Grissom has been one of the infielders vying for the starting second base job along with Kristan Campbell, David Hamilton, and Marcelo Mayer.

The 24-year-old came over in the Chris Sale trade back in Dec. 2023, had an injury-plagued first season, and has gone 6-for-34 (.176 batting average) with two doubles, three RBI, six runs, and six strikeouts in 13 games.

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Mayer made his first spring start at second base, playing the entire game, and went 1-for-3 with a triple and an RBI. Mayer is now hitting .355 with a 1.025 OPS this spring, and more importantly than the useless Grapefruit League stats, he looks confident at the plate and in the field.

Campbell is still considered the favorite for the job, according to MassLive. He showed off his athleticism on Monday, making multiple diving plays in the field, but has still struggled at the plate. In Grapefruit play the last couple of weeks, he’s 6-for-38 (.158) with two doubles, five runs, seven walks, and 15 strikeouts in 15 games. Over his last seven games, he’s started to settle in and look more comfortable at the plate; he’s 5-for-15 (.333) over that span.

Hamilton has played well all spring, but he’d be better coming off the bench.

Guerrero opened Grapefruit League play, allowing just one hit and one walk while striking out six in three scoreless frames. The flamethrower has since struggled to throw strikes, walking eight batters and giving up six runs in his last 2 2/3 innings.

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Winckowski has been one of the Red Sox' most used relievers, tossing 83 1/3 innings since 2023. He’s also made 21 starts over the last three seasons. He struggled at times, resulting in being optioned to Triple-A Worcester. This spring he’s allowed 12 runs, 15 hits (two homers) with six walks while striking out four.