Cup of Coffee: Kristian Campbell goes 4 for 4; Portland rained out

5/3 Cup of Coffee: It was a bit of a light slate on Thursday night, as Portland got rained out and will play a doubleheader Saturday, but among those that did play, there wasn't too much offense to be had, as Greenville was the only squad to exceed five runs. Nathan Hickey was a member of the multi-hit club for Worcester as Nick Pivetta struggled in his rehab appearance, while Kristian Campbell (pictured) was 4 for 4 in Salem, while teammate Eduardo Lopez added three knocks.

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Lehigh Valley IronPigs (PHI) 7, Worcester Red Sox 1

Nick Pivetta struggled in his rehab start, surrendering four runs in three-plus innings of work as Lehigh Valley used a five-run fourth to run away with Thursday's game, which featured a 48-minute weather delay. Pivetta struck out five but allowed three hits and walked four. Brian Van Belle contributed four innings of no-hit relief, allowing just one walk with three strikeouts. The only hitter with multiple base knocks was Nathan Hickey, who continues to get work at first base, while Mark Kolozsvary had the only RBI. 

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Cup of Coffee: Teel has career night in Portland; Campbell homers again for Greenville

5/2 Cup of Coffee: Boston's minor-league affiliates went 2-2 on a busy Wednesday for the organization. Grant Gambrell worked six solid innings in Worcester's win over Lehigh Valley. Kyle Teel (pictured) and Marcelo Mayer combined to drive in seven of Portland's eight runs at Hadlock Field. Ahbram Liendo and Kristian Campbell both went deep in Greenville's loss to Asheville. Johanfran Garcia had three hits for Salem but left the game with a potentially serious injury.

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Worcester Red Sox 5, Lehigh Valley IronPigs (PHI) 2

Grant Gambrell picked up his first win in his sixth start of the season for Worcester. The 26-year-old right-hander allowed just one earned run on six hits and one walk with three strikeouts over six innings. Out of the WooSox bullpen, Jorge Benitez and Sal Romano each spun a scoreless frame while Luis Guerrero gave up one run in the ninth before closing things out.

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Cup of Coffee: Ugueto, Kavadas lead way on big offensive night

5/1 Cup of Coffee: It was a huge night for offense on the farm, as Worcester, Portland, and Greenville combined to score 33 runs. Niko Kavadas continued his monster season for the WooSox, backing a great outing from Richard Fitts. Greenville had multiple players with three-hit nights, and Portland got a nice start from Zach Penrod. 

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Worcester Red Sox 12, Lehigh Valley IronPigs (PHI) 5

All nine starters for the Sox had at least one hit in their 12-run attack. Jamie Wesbrook went 2 for 5 with a a pair of doubles, two RBI, and two runs out of the cleanup spot. Niko Kavadas also had a big night, going 2 for 4 with two doubles and three runs driven in. The first baseman raised his OPS to 1.123 on the season. Mark Contreras and Corey Rosier each had a single and a double, while Karson Simas belted a three-run homer as part of his four-RBI night. Richard Fitts collected his second victory of the season with a very strong outing. The right-hander surrendered two runs over six innings of work, striking out seven and walking just two. Vladimir Gutierrez allowed three runs in three innings of relief, but was credited with a save. 

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Minor Notes: Bello placed on injured list; four pitchers added from independent leagues

The wave of injuries continued last week with Brayan Bello being the latest player to hit the injured list. Triston Casas was also formally transferred to the 60-day injured list, and the Red Sox went outside the organization to help replace him. Four other players were added from outside the organization, with Boston looking to the independent leagues to sign four pitchers. 

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Bello placed on the injured list

Right-handed starter Brayan Bello was placed on the 15-day injured list with right lat tightness. Bello joins Nick Pivetta and Garrett Whitlock on the injured list as Boston's starting pitching depth is being tested early in the season. There is no timetable yet for Bello's return. The Red Sox recalled Zack Kelly from Worcester to fill Bello's spot on the roster. 

Pablo Reyes designated for assignment

Pablo Reyes, who had played every infield position for the Red Sox this year, was designated for assignment on Monday. With Ceddanne Rafaela announced as the everyday shortstop and Vaughn Grissom close to finishing his rehab assignment, the starting middle infield is coming into focus. David Hamilton figures to be the primary backup for both positions. Reyes had struggled to a line of .183/.234/.217 in 60 at-bats this season.

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Cup of Coffee: Grissom records four hits in Worcester's win; Gonzalez fans eight for Portland

4/29 Cup of Coffee: Boston's minor-league affiliates went 1-3 to close out the weekend. Vaughn Grissom had a monster day at the plate in Worcester's win over Toledo. Wikelman Gonzalez (pictured) struck out eight and Nick Yorke had two more hits, but Portland dropped its third straight to Hartford. Allan Castro and Miguel Ugueto stood out in Greenville's loss to Greensboro while Marvin Alcantara hit his first home run of the season for Salem.

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Worcester Red Sox 8, Toledo Mud Hens (DET) 5

Vaughn Grissom led the way offensively, going 4 for 4 with two RBIs, one run scored, and one walk. Corey Rosier broke out of a 0 for 17 slump by going 3 for 4 with his first home run of the season. Niko Kavadas also went deep for the fifth time this year by crushing a 442-foot solo shot in the seventh inning. Eddy Alvarez drove in a team-high three runs on a two-run single and sacrifice fly. Chase Meidroth went 1 for 4 with an RBI single, one run scored, and one walk.

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Cup of Coffee: Perales and Paez shine; Zanetello and Lugo homer

4/28 Cup of Coffee: Each affiliate played a close game on Saturday with strong performances throughout the system. Angel Bastardo and Matthew Lugo had Portland in a position to win until a late bullpen collapse, and Luis Perales returned for Greenville with four strong innings. An inside-the-park home run from Nazzan Zanetello was the highlight of a Salem victory. 

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Toledo Mud Hens (DET) 8, Worcester Red Sox 7

The WooSox let a five-run lead slip away as they dropped their fourth game of the series. Chase Shugart made his first start of the year, allowing two runs, one earned, over three innings. Brendan Cellucci allowed one run over three innings in his Triple-A debut after being added from Portland earlier in the week. It was another Worcester debut for Sal Romano, who was signed to a minor league deal on Friday. The former major leaguer and Connecticut native allowed one run on three hits in his lone inning. The blown save went to Melvin Adón who allowed four runs while recording one out. 

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Podcast Ep #314: Talking About What You Want To Hear About

Ian is joined by a very special guest this week as SoxProspects founder and Editor-In-Chief Mike Andrews joins to answer listeners' questions! Before getting to those, however, Ian and Mike discuss Brayan Bello’s injury, Ceddanne Rafaela as the everyday shortstop and Masataka Yoshida’s absence from the lineup. They also go over all the latest minor league transactions, including the three new pitcher signings out of independent ball, Adam Smith, Danny Kirwin and Michael Sansone. Next, they answer a bunch of listener questions from Twitter/X and wrap up answering listener emails. In those sections there was a lot of talk about the big three prospects and their timelines, thoughts on Matthew Lugo’s resurgence, the upcoming Draft and more!

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Cup of Coffee: Mayer has two hits in slow offensive day

4/27 Cup of Coffee: There wasn't much offense to be had anywhere, as no game featured more than seven total runs, while four scores was enough for three teams to emerge victorious and the fourth had just three. Tyler Miller (pictured) was able to record three hits in a loss for Greenville. He, Marcelo Mayer, Karson Simas, and Nelly Taylor formed the multi-hit club on the night, while Eddy Alvarez, Blaze Jordan and Matthew Lugo each went yard. The best outing on the mound belonged to Hunter Dobbins, who turned in a quality start for Portland.

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Toledo Mud Hens (DET) 4, Worcester Red Sox 3

Worcester scored one in the ninth and got the tying run to third, but it was too little, too late, which was a theme on the farm on Friday night. The Red Sox had just five hits, two of which were by Karson Simas, while Eddy Alvarez hit a home run in the sixth to bring his team to within one run. It wasn't a banner outing for Jason Alexander, who allowed three runs over four innings of work. He allowed six hits and one walk, but he did punch out six Mud Hen hitters. He was followed by Lucas Luetge, who didn't allow a run in two innings. 

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Cup of Coffee: Rodriguez shines for Salem as Yuten provides punch

4/26 Cup of Coffee: All four full-season affiliates were in action on Thursday and three came away with victories. A sterling effort by Elmer Rodriugez (pictured) and a pair of relievers along with a Natanael Yuten blast gave Salem the victory. Portland also prevailed in a pitchers' duel, with Helcris Olivarez proving nearly unhittable. Worcester delivered a four-run, ninth-inning rally to come from behind in its win, with only Greenville dropping its contest. 

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Worcester Red Sox 7, Toledo Mud Hens (DET) 5

Trailing 5-3 headed into the ninth inning, the WooSox stormed ahead on back-to-back two-run doubles by Eddy Alvarez and Jamie Westbrook. Westbrook had previously driven in a run on a two-bagger in the fourth. Elih Marrero delivered a double and a two-run homer, while Karson Simas was 2 for 3 with a walk and two runs scored. Luis Guerrero got credit for the win in relief, allowing just one hit in two scoreless frames, striking out four against two walks. Starter Brian Van Belle went five innings, giving up four runs on 10 hits. 

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Cup of Coffee: Castro walks it off in Greenville; Mayer nearly hits for cycle

4/25 Cup of Coffee: Boston's minor-league affiliates went 2-3 on a busy Wednesday. Nick Sogard racked up four hits in Worcester's doubleheader against Toledo. Marcelo Mayer (pictured) finished a triple shy of the cycle while Nick Yorke added a home run of his own in Portland's victory over Hartford. In Greenville, Allan Castro delivered with a walk-off double as part of a come-from-behind win at Fluor Field. On the mound, Matt Duffy put together his best start of the season for Salem.

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Toledo Mud Hens (DET) 5, Worcester Red Sox 3 (Game 1)

Richard Fitts had a rough outing in Game 1 of Wednesday's twin bill. The 24-year-old righty was charged with his first loss of the season after allowing five earned runs on seven hits, three walks, and four strikeouts over four innings. Chase Shugart followed with two scoreless frames out of the bullpen. Chase Meidroth and Nick Sogard accounted for five of Worcester's eight hits. The former went 3 for 4 with a run scored out of the leadoff spot while the latter went 2 for 3 with a double, run scored, and a walk. Nathan Hickey also doubled in a run for his lone hit of the contest.

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Cup of Coffee: Jordan homers; Zanetello makes season debut

4/24 Cup of Coffee: The Drive had the best night among Red Sox affiliates last night, scoring eight runs and tossing a shutout. Juan Daniel Encarnacion (pictured) was phenomenal in his start, while the offense saw contributions from just about everyone. The Salem game saw the season debut for Nazzan Zanetello as well as a great game from Blake Wehunt. The WooSox did not play due to rain, while Blaze Jordan had a huge night in Portland's loss.

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Worcester Red Sox @ Toledo Mud Hens (DET); PPD (rain)

This game was washed out and will be made up as part of a doubleheader Wednesday beginning at 11:05 am Eastern Time. 

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Hartford Yard Goats (COL) 9, Portland Sea Dogs 6

Blaze Jordan was the star of an otherwise tough night for Portland. The third baseman went 2 for 5 with a solo home run and a three-run double. It was his first long ball of the 2024 campaign. Roman Anthony and Kyle Teel had productive nights as well, both going 1 for 3 with a single and two walks. Phillip Sikes also singled, walked, and scored a pair of runs. Isaac Coffey labored through four innings, allowing four hits and four walks, but limiting the damage to just two runs. He punched out four. Robert Kwiatkowski continued his solid season so far with no runs allowed over 1 1/3 innings. His ERA is 2.08 in 8 2/3 innings this year. 

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Minor Notes: Casas placed on IL with rib strain; Gutierrez acquired from Milwaukee

The Red Sox swept the Pirates in Pittsburgh over the weekend but it came at a cost. Triston Casas (pictured) became the latest player to hit the injured list after suffering a left rib strain on Saturday. We cover that, and much more, in the latest installment of our weekly notes.

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Casas placed on injured list

Triston Casas was placed on the 10-day injured list with a left rib strain ahead of Sunday's series finale at PNC Park. The 24-year-old first baseman suffered the injury in the process of drawing a walk in the first inning of Saturday's 4-2 win over the Pirates. He took his base but was replaced defensively by Bobby Dalbec in the bottom half of the frame.

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Episode 313: More Injuries and Early Reports from the Affiliates

Ian and Chris Clegg reconvene to discuss more injuries for the major league team and what the Red Sox should do at first base with Triston Casas seemingly out for an extended period of time. Is Niko Kavadas an option or is an external addition necessary? They then breakdown all of the transactions since the last episode including Cam Booser’s incredible journey to the major leagues. Finally, Chris discusses what he’s seen in Greenville so far (Connelly Early, Dalton Rogers, Luis Perales, Kristian Campbell, Alan Castro and more) and Ian goes over what he saw in Portland (Wikelman Gonzalez, Alex Hoppe, Marcelo Mayer, Roman Anthony) and Worcester (Richard Fitts, Luis Guerrero, Grant Gambrell, Chase Meidroth, Nathan Hickey and Vaughn Grissom) to close the show!

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Cup of Coffee: Meidroth, Sogard lead Worcester; Sikes propels Portland

4/22 Cup of Coffee: Boston's minor-league affiliates went 2-2 on Sunday, as both upper-level teams won and both lower-level teams fell. Chase Meidroth and Nick Sogard combined for five hits in Worcester's victory over Durham. Wikelman Gonzalez earned the win in relief while Phillip Sikes (pictured) plated three runs as Portland took its fifth straight from New Hampshire. Greenville and Salem each came up short, but Juan Chacon and Miguel Bleis were among those who stood out in defeat.

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Worcester Red Sox 7, Durham Bulls (TB) 1

Naoyuki Uwasawa put forth his best start for Worcester thus far. The Japanese right-hander allowed only one earned run on five hits and one walk to go along with a season-high seven strikeouts over five solid innings of work. He finished with 79 pitches (48 strikes) and induced 14 swings-and-misses. Vladimir Gutierrez (organizational debut), Jorge Benitez, and Zack Kelly combined for four scoreless frames of relief.

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Cup of Coffee: Sea Dogs stay hot on Lugo's bat, Dobbins' arm

4/21 Cup of Coffee: Portland picked up the only affiliate win on Saturday, with Matthew Lugo (pictured) turning in another big day at the plate, supporting a Hunter Dobbins quality start. The WooSox were swept in their doubleheader, garnering just five hits across the two games. Juan Chacon was a highlight in the Greenville loss, while Natanael Yuten and Marvin Alcantara had big games as Salem dropped a slugfest.

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Durham Bulls (TB) 12, Worcester Red Sox 2 (Game 1)

The Worcester lineup managed just three hits in the opener, with a fourth-inning double by Eddy Alvarez the only one going for extra bases. Nick Sogard added a walk and run scored to his 1-for-3 effort, while Mark Contreras singled, stole a base, and drove in a run. Brian Van Belle allowed five runs in five innings, taking the loss. It was a Triple-A debut to forget for Cody Scroggins, as the righty surrendered seven runs in the sixth inning.

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Cup of Coffee: Mayer walks off New Hampshire; Kavadas knocks two homers

4/20 Cup of Coffee: It was a dramatic Friday night on the farm, in contrast to the ho-hum defeat of Pittsburgh that the big club had. Worcester trailed in the late innings and had an offensive outburst for victory that featured two home runs for Niko Kavadas, while Marcelo Mayer walked off New Hampshire with a single in a game that was tight all evening. The low minors were less fortunate, as Salem stranded the winning run on first and Greenville's late comeback bid fell two runs short.

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Worcester Red Sox 12, Durham Bulls (TB) 5

Worcester was down 3-2 headed into the bottom of the sixth but burst out for 10 runs over its final three at-bats to take a convincing win over Durham ahead of a doubleheader on Saturday. Niko Kavadas had a big day, going 3 for 3 with a pair of two-run home runs that bookended the scoring. The game-winning run came off the bat of Jamie Westbrook, who drilled a three-run shot in the sixth as part of a three-homer day for the WooSox. He matched Kavadas' four RBI with a 2-for-2 night, while Chase Meidroth also had two hits. Three of Durham's runs were charged to starter Grant Gambrell, who went five innings. He allowed four hits and one walk but struck out five. Jorge Benitez, who handled the eighth, was the only Worcester arm to not allow a run.

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Cup of Coffee: Penrod leads a Portland shutout; Yuten drives in three

4/19 Cup of Coffee: With Worcester rained out, the attention was on Portland in its matinee with New Hampshire. Zach Penrod (pictured) was excellent again for the Sea Dogs, while Roman Anthony and Eddinson Paulino stayed hot at the plate. Jhostynxon Garcia and Johanfran Garcia played well again for Salem, while Natanael Yuten added a bases-clearing double. 

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Durham Bulls (TB) @ Worcester Red Sox, PPD (rain)

Thursday's game was postponed and will be made up as part of a doubleheader on Saturday. 

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Cup of Coffee: Fitts earns first win for Worcester; Mayer extends hitting streak in Portland

4/18 Cup of Coffee: On the same night Tanner Houck threw a complete game shutout at Fenway Park, Boston's minor-league affiliates went 3-1. Richard Fitts impressed and Chase Meidroth stayed hot as Worcester won its third straight. Marcelo Mayer extended his hitting streak and Matthew Lugo (pictured) came through in the clutch in Portland. Bryan Gonzalez homered yet again in Greenville's victory over Wilmington. Blake Wehunt and Jhostynxon Garcia were bright spots in Salem's loss to Lynchburg.

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Worcester Red Sox 6, Durham Bulls (TB) 2

Richard Fitts earned his first winning decision for Worcester by spinning his first quality start of the season. The 24-year-old righty allowed just one earned run on four hits, zero walks, and one hit batter with five strikeouts over six innings of work. Fitts finished with 80 pitches (53 strikes) and induced 11 whiffs. Chase Shugart, Justin Hagenman, and Luis Guerrero combined for three innings of one-run ball out of the WooSox bullpen.

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Cup of Coffee: Refsnyder, Grissom rehab, Meidroth homers in Worcester win

Cup of Coffee: Worcester had a big night offensively in their win over Durham. They belted three home runs, including the rehabbing Rob Refnsyder. Dalton Guthrie (pictured), Chase Meidrtoh, and Jamie Westbrook were the big bats for the WooSox. Greenville lost a tough one, while Miguel Bleis and Johanfran Garcia played well in an otherwise disappointing night for Salem. 

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Worcester Red Sox 7, Durham Bulls (TB) 4

This one had a few key rehabbing players in Rob Refsnyder and Vaughn Grissom, who each went 1 for 3. Refsnyder belted a home run. Chase Meidroth also blasted his first career Triple-A home run in addition to drawing a walk in four trips to the plate. Jamie Westbrook and Dalton Guthrie each had huge nights at the dish. Wesbrook went 3 for 4 with a double and three runs scored, while Guthrie went 2 for 4 with his first long ball of the season and four RBI. 

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Cup of Coffee: Paulino, Teel homer as Portland wins fourth straight

4/15 Cup of Coffee: Boston's minor-league affiliates went 3-2 on Sunday. As part of a doubleheader in Syracuse, Rob Refsnyder and Vaughn Grissom continued their rehab assignments while Tyler McDonough shined in his first start of the year for Worcester. Eddinson Paulino (pictured) homered for the third consecutive game, leading a power surge in Portland's win over Reading. At the lower levels, Cutter Coffey broke out in Greenville while Austin Ehrlicher struck out seven of the 13 batters he faced for Salem.

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Syracuse Mets (NYM) 10, Worcester Red Sox 5 (Game 1)

Despite scoring the first five runs, Worcester fell in Game 1 of Sunday's doubleheader against Syracuse. Brian Van Belle went just 3 2/3 innings for the second straight start, allowing four earned runs on nine hits (three home runs), zero walks, and zero strikeouts. AJ Politi took the loss in relief after yielding four runs on three hits in the bottom of the fifth. Three members of the WooSox' starting lineup recorded multiple hits. Chase Meidroth went 2 for 4 with an RBI, Mark Contreras went 2 for 4 with a run-scoring double, and Eddy Alvarez went 2 for 3 with a double and run scored. Niko Kavadas homered for the second time this season while Nick Sogard scored two runs. The rehabbing duo of Vaughn Grissom and Rob Refsnyder combined to go 1 for 7 with a run, a walk, and four strikeouts.

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