Fort Report: Devers starts amidst wave of roster cuts

Here are this week's minor league notes:

• In this week's edition of the SoxProspects.com podcast, the guys reflect on their trip to Red Sox camp and break down the recent changes to the SoxProspects.com rankings. 

• Speaking of which, the SoxProspects.com prospect rankings have been updated for the new season and you can read some of the discussion that went into the revamped list, courtesy of Will Woodward.

• SoxProspects.com's own Matt Huegel wrote a fascinating story about the amateur career and recent development of Austin Glorius. Signed as an undrafted free agent in 2015, Glorius showed a live arm and pitched well in Short-Season A Lowell down the stretch, positioning himself as a potential breakout prospect heading into the season.

• Second-ranked prospect Rafael Devers (pictured) and 13th-ranked Mauricio Dubon both started for the big club in Saturday's loss to the Orioles. Both prospects had 2-for-4 days at the plate, with Dubon also chipping in with a two-run single. On Devers, Red Sox manager John Farrell stated, "For a player that age, he's got a lot of good things going for him."

•  The Red Sox made a significant round of roster cuts on Thursday. The team optioned left-handed pitchers Henry Owens and Brian Johnson as well as right-handed pitcher Heath Hembree to Triple-A Pawtucket. As part of the same round of cuts, first baseman Sam Travis, outfielder Ryan LaMarre, and right-handed pitcher Roman Mendez were reassigned to minor league camp. 

• The Red Sox again trimmed their roster today, optioning Deven Marrero to Pawtucket and reassigning first baseman Allen Craig, infielder Josh Rutledge, outfielder Brennan Boesch, right-handed pitcher Anthony Varvaro, and catchers Dan Butler and Sandy Leon to minor league camp. Finally, the Red Sox also released Carlos Marmol, who allowed three earned runs and walked seven in four spring innings. 

• The Red Sox have informed four players that they will be placed on the 15-day disabled list to begin the season: left-handed pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez, right-handed pitchers Carson Smith and Brandon Workman, and catcher Christian Vazquez.

• With Smith starting the season on the disabled list due to a strained flexor mass, Matt Barnes looks like a strong contender for one of the final spot in the Red Sox bullpen. Barnes has looked excellent this spring, striking out 11 and walking just one in 10 1/3 shutout innings, and Matt Kory of Baseball Prospectus Boston suggests that Barnes could be in for a big year.  

• Knuckleballer Steven Wright appears to have laid claim on Boston's fifth starter role. The right-hander allowed just a run in 5 2/3 innings yesterday in a win against the Phillies, giving him a 2.66 ERA in 20 1/3 innings this spring.

• It's decision time on David Murphy as the outfielder opted out of his minor league contract with the Red Sox yesterday. The Red Sox have until tomorrow to make a decision on whether to place Murphy on the active roster to begin the season or release him. UPDATE, 5:00 P.M.: The Red Sox announced after Monday's game that they have released Murphy, making him a free agent.

• The Red Sox released six players this week: left-handed pitchers Carlos Garcia and Luis Ramos, right-handed pitchers Edwar Garcia and Ryan Harris, outfielder Yoilan Cerse, and catcher Alixon Suarez. 

• In addition to Devers and Dubon, the following minor league players saw action in major league games this past week: 
  Jordan Betts, Jamie Callahan, Chad De La Guerra, Franklin Guzman, Justin Haley, Bryan Hudson, Tzu-Wei Lin, Nick Longhi, Danny Mars, Mike Miller, Joseph Monge, Bobby Poyner, Henry Ramos, Jeremy Rivera, Rainel Rosario, Robby Scott, Chandler Shepherd, Cole Sturgeon, Aneury Tavarez, Jantzen Witte, Rob Wort, Luis Ysla.

Photo Credit: Rafael Devers by Kelly O'Connor

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