Red Sox Veteran Stays With Organization After Clearing Waivers

The Boston Red Sox retained some depth for their stretch run on Sunday.

Abraham Toro cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Worcester, per MassLive’s Chris Cotillo and Christopher Smith. The Red Sox designated Toro for assignment this week after signing first baseman Nathaniel Lowe.

Injuries to Triston Casas and Alex Bregman vacated playing time in Boston’s infield earlier this season. Toro seized the opportunity by batting .286/.333/.457 in May and June.

His hot hand didn’t last, as the 28-year-old has since hit .185/.237/.269 in his last 35 games. Toro continued to receive playing time at first base, but the Red Sox pounced on Lowe after the Washington Nationals cut him.

While Toro initially remained on the roster when Lowe joined the team, they DFA’d the journeyman on Thursday to recall David Hamilton.

A career .223/.285/.356 hitter, Toro has spent the past five seasons with five different clubs. He’s never logged more than 375 plate appearances in a season.

Toro had the service time to reject a minor-league assignment and become a free agent, but he chose to join the WooSox. He probably won’t play first base too often in Worcester, as Kristian Campbell is learning the new position after struggling at second base with the Red Sox.

The switch-hitting Toro gives the Red Sox a contingency plan, but Jhostynxon Garcia’s promotion seemingly eliminated Toro’s path to platooning with Lowe. Romy Gonzalez started at first base against New York Yankees southpaw Max Fried on Friday, with Garcia playing the outfield and Ceddanne Rafaela starting at second base.

Wilyer Abreu and Rob Refnsyder are expected to re-join the team shortly, so Toro faces a difficult path to earning a September call-up.