Red Sox Rumors: Key Details On Deal With Two-Time All-Star

The Red Sox apparently will have to make a quick decision on the newest member of their organization.

Boston on Thursday agreed to a minor-league deal with Yasmani Grandal, according to multiple reports. The Red Sox’s reported pact with the veteran catcher arrived mere days after the club placed fellow backstop Connor Wong on the 10-day injured list, which probably won’t be enough time for the latter to fully recover from his fractured finger.

While Grandal, who wasn’t with a team for spring training, will need some time in Triple-A Worcester to ramp up, Craig Breslow and company won’t have much runway to figure out what they want to do with the two-time All-Star.

“Grandal will report to Worcester. He’ll earn a $1.35 million base salary if he makes the major league roster, according to an industry source. And the deal includes an opt-out clause that will force the Red Sox to make a decision on him rather soon,” MassLive’s Sean McAdam wrote in a column published Thursday.

“Grandal’s deal, according to an industry source, includes a May 1 opt-out, meaning he can elect free agency and leave the organization if he’s not in the majors by then. That means the Red Sox have just three weeks to make a call on Grandal — and if he’s ready to play in the big leagues despite not attending spring training (he has remained unsigned since the end of last season).”

The 36-year-old’s promotion — or lack thereof — could depend entirely on how quickly Wong can rehab. If Wong is going to be sidelined longer than expected, the Red Sox theoretically could call up Grandal even if he’s a bit behind schedule with his ramp-up. Carlos Narváez will do the lion’s share of catching for Boston while Wong is out of action.

Time will tell how the Red Sox handle the situation behind the dish. In the meantime, Alex Cora’s club will try to capitalize on a very favorable upcoming schedule.