June 6, 2013 at 7:30 PM
Red Sox acquire infielder Stefan Welch; Braden Kapteyn retires
The Red Sox have acquired infielder Stefan Welch from the Pittsburgh Pirates. A corner infielder, Welch has been assigned to High A Salem and is in tonight's starting lineup as the designated hitter. In another move, right-handed pitcher Braden Kapteyn has retired from baseball, per the University of Kentucky baseball alumni.
Welch, 24, joins his third organization. Originally signed by the New York Mets out of the Australian League, he debuted in 2007. He played five seasons in the Mets organization before signing with the Pittsburgh Pirates before the 2012 season. He has spent most of his career as a first baseman, but saw significant playing time with Double-A Altoona in 2012.
Kapteyn, Boston's 15th-round pick in 2011, appeared in 41 games with the Red Sox across three seasons. Assigned to Greenville to start 2013, Kapteyn went 1-1 with a 4.58 ERA in 17 2/3 innings. He was assigned to extended spring training in late May, before deciding to retire.