The Boston Red Sox made several roster moves before Thursday’s spring training game against the Minnesota Twins at JetBlue Park.
The Red Sox optioned outfielder Bryce Brentz, third baseman Garin Cecchini and right-handed pitchers Heath Hembree and Zeke Spruill to Triple-A Pawtucket. Boston also reassigned lefty Henry Owens to minor league camp and released righty Mitchell Boggs.
Brentz and Cecchini both garnered playing time with Boston down the stretch last season, but they’re both without a clear path to the majors in the wake of the Red Sox’s offseason maneuvering. Brentz is behind several outfielders on Boston’s depth chart, while Cecchini is blocked by third baseman Pablo Sandoval, who signed a five-year, $95 million contract in November.
Hembree also saw time with Boston late last season. The hard-throwing 26-year-old could earn a call-up this season if/when something goes awry in the Red Sox’s bullpen. He has closing experience at the minor league level.
Spruill, acquired from the Arizona Diamondbacks in December, made 12 major league appearances (three starts) between 2013 and 2014. He, like Hembree, could be considered for a call-up if something unforeseen pops up among Boston’s relief corps.
Owens, who is considered the Red Sox’s top pitching prospect, has had a rough spring. The 22-year-old is 0-3 with an 8.74 ERA in five Grapefruit League appearances spanning 11 1/3 innings.
Boggs, a non-roster invitee, once had major league success with the St. Louis Cardinals, but the 31-year-old was rather erratic this spring and thus stood very little chance to crack Boston’s bullpen.
The Red Sox have 43 players in major league camp, including 32 players from the 40-man roster and 11 non-roster invitees.
Thumbnail photo via Kim Klement/USA TODAY Sports Images
