Red Sox outright infielder Bobby Dalbec to Triple-A Worcester
The Red Sox announced that infielder/outfielder Bobby Dalbec was outrighted to Triple-A Worcester on Tuesday.
Boston designated Dalbec for assignment on Sunday to make room for right-handed pitcher Richard Fitts. The 29-year-old is unable to refuse the assignment to the WooSox because he does not have enough MLB service time.
Dalbec can become an MiLB free agent this winter if he is not placed back on the 40-man roster within five days after the World Series. It’s highly likely that Dalbec is gone this offseason and he will pursue opportunities with another MLB organization.
Dalbec spent the majority of the season with the WooSox; he has seen 37 games with the Red Sox at various points this year.
This season with Worcester, Dalbec has hit .255 with 19 homers, 17 doubles, one triple, 64 RBI, 41 walks, .341 OBP, .491 slugging percentage, and a .833 OPS (85 games).
“If you look at the swing and miss percentages, he’s up there,” said Alex Cora to reporters after Dalbec was DFA’d. “He’s still a good player. Good defender. Has some pop. He’s a good athlete. So well, what happens in the upcoming days, and then we’ll know more.”
Cora had suggested to reporters that Dalbec and the team needed to go their separate ways. A fresh start would have been beneficial for the slugger.
“I hate to say that, right, but it’s happened before,” Cora said. “Like I said, let’s see what happens in the upcoming days, and we’ll know more.”
The former starting first baseman has struggled with strikeouts while in the Red Sox organization, including striking out 132 times in 321 at-bats for the WooSox this season.
Dalbec burst on the scene during the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, bashing eight homers in 80 at-bats (23 games). He followed that up with a strong rookie season, playing in 133 games, belting 25 homers with 78 RBI with a .792 OPS.
Since his rookie season, Dalbec has hit just 14 homers, 13 doubles, two triples, 48 RBI, .599 OPS with 198 strikeouts in 175 games for Boston. He has a 36.8% strikeout percentage in the majors, punching out 384 times in 1,044 plate appearances, according to FanGraphs.
