Former Red Sox World Series Champion Placed On Injured List

The Boston Red Sox claimed catcher Ali Sánchez off waivers from the Toronto Blue Jays on Friday in a surprise transaction that foreshadowed a corresponding roster move that’s yet to be announced. With Sánchez out of options and needing to be added to the team’s 26-man roster, the health of starting catcher Carlos Narváez’s troublesome knee after sitting out Wednesday’s game remained an obvious concern.

While the Red Sox navigated their latest round of roster moves, injury news regarding former Red Sox catcher and 2018 World Series champion Christian Vázquez seemingly made an already tough season for the Minnesota Twins even more difficult.

According to multiple sources, the 11-year Major League veteran was placed on the 10-day injured list with a left shoulder infection. The injury is the latest setback for the 34-year-old backstop in a season where he’s produced a disappointing .174 batting average with 31 hits and a .251 OBP in 178 at-bats this season.

Selected by the Red Sox in the ninth round of the 2008 MLB draft, Vázquez emerged as a key contributor and leader for the team after making his debut during the 2014 season. He was most notably a member of the Red Sox’s 2018 World Series club that won a franchise record 108 games that season.

In 2022, Vázquez was traded to the Houston Astros at the deadline in a deal that sent 2024 Gold Glove Award-winning outfielder Wilyer Abreu and infielder Enmanuel Valdez to Boston. During parts of eight seasons with the Red Sox, Vázquez hit .262 with 70 home runs and 348 RBIs in 989 games.