The Boston Red Sox trimmed their roster for the second consecutive day.
The Red Sox announced Friday that they have optioned catcher Blake Swihart and left-handed pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez to Triple-A Pawtucket. Boston now has 49 players in major league camp, including 36 players from the 40-man roster and 13 non-roster invitees.
Both Swihart and Rodriguez were added to the Red Sox’s 40-man roster over the offseason. Neither was expected to crack the big league club out of spring training, but both figure to have bright futures with Boston.
Swihart, who turns 23 in April, went  7-for-18 (.389) with one homer, four RBIs and a 1.006 OPS in eight Grapefruit League games. The former first-round pick is considered the Red Sox’s No. 2 prospect behind recently signed 19-year-old Cuban infielder Yoan Moncada.
Rodriguez, who turns 22 next month, allowed only one run over 7 2/3 innings this spring. The lefty struck out nine, didn’t walk anyone and further showed why he’s considered one of the organization’s top pitching prospects.
“Both very strong. You look at two young guys who are talented, strong in their own respective positions,” Red Sox manager John Farrell told reporters Thursday in Fort Myers, Fla. “Both had very good springs for the positions that they’re in.”
The Red Sox also optioned Sean Coyle and Travis Shaw to Pawtucket on Wednesday in addition to reassigning four players to minor league camp.
Thumbnail photo via Reinhold Matay/USA TODAY Sports Images
