The Red Sox made an under-the-radar move to acquire pitching depth Sunday.
Boston acquired right-handed pitcher Joe Vogatsky from Pittsburgh in exchange for versatile infielder Enmanuel Valdez, the team announced. Vogatsky, a 19th-round selection by the Pirates in this year’s first-year player draft, is coming off a successful four-year collegiate tenure with James Madison.
The 22-year-old pitched exclusively out of the bullpen in his final two campaigns with the Dukes. Vogatsky logged a combined 14 saves with 84 strikeouts over 78 2/3 total innings as a reliever with JMU.
Valdez was acquired alongside Gold Glove-winning outfielder Wilyer Abreu in the August 2022 trade that sent catcher Christian Vázquez to the Houston Astros. The 25-year-old, who was Boston’s Opening Day second baseman last season, played a combined 125 games with the Red Sox over the last two campaigns. Valdez hit .235 as a member of the Red Sox with 12 home runs, 20 doubles and 47 RBIs.
With Valdez now in the Pirates organization, Boston’s middle infield depth currently is made up of Trevor Story, Vaughn Grissom, Ceddanne Rafaela, David Hamilton, Nick Sogar Romy González and Mickey Gasper.
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Featured image via Eric Canha/Imagn Images
