April 23, 2024 at 12:00 PM
Minor Notes: Casas placed on IL with rib strain; Gutierrez acquired from Milwaukee
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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.
There is concern that Casas, who had homered four times in his last seven games coming into play on Sunday, could be out for a while. He flew back to Boston and underwent an MRI of his injured rib cage on Monday. In Casas' place, Dalbec, Pablo Reyes, and perhaps even Rob Refsnyder figure to see the lion's share of playing time at first base for the Red Sox unless an external addition is made.
To fill Casas' spot on the active roster, catcher Tyler Heineman was recalled from Triple-A Worcester on Sunday. Acquired from the Mets for cash considerations back in February, Heineman went 0 for 1 and was hit by a pitch in his Red Sox debut. It remains to be seen if the 32-year-old backstop will stick with the big-league club or be swapped out for a more versatile player ahead of Tuesday's series opener against the Guardians.
Booser promoted, Jacques DFA'd
The Red Sox swapped left-handed relievers on Friday by selecting the contract of Cam Booser from Worcester and designating Joe Jacques for assignment. Booser made the first two relief appearances of his major-league career over the weekend, allowing one earned run on three hits, zero walks, and two strikeouts over two innings. The 31-year-old southpaw was visibly emotional after recording the final three outs of Friday's 8-1 win against the Pirates.
Jacques, meanwhile, made his season debut in Thursday's 5-4 loss to the Guardians at Fenway Park. The 29-year-old lefty gave up one earned run on three hits, zero walks, one hit batsman, and two strikeouts over 1 2/3 innings of relief. His fate (whether he is claimed, traded, or clears waivers and is outrighted off Boston's 40-man roster) will be decided within the next three days.
Gutierrez acquired from Brewers
The Red Sox swung a minor trade with the Brewers on Thursday night, acquiring right-hander Vladimir Gutierrez from the Brewers in exchange for cash considerations. Gutierrez, who was designated for assignment by Milwaukee the day prior, was added to Boston's 40-man roster and optioned to Worcester. In a corresponding move, Trevor Story (left shoulder surgery) was transferred from the 10-day to the 60-day injured list.
A veteran of three major-league seasons (2021-2022, 2024) between the Reds and Marlins, Gutierrez made his organizational debut for the WooSox in Sunday's 7-1 win over the Durham Bulls at Polar Park. Despite issuing three walks, the 28-year-old Cuban-born hurler worked a scoreless sixth inning and was credited with a hold. Like fellow trade acquisition Naoyuki Uwasawa, Gutierrez figures to provide the Red Sox with experienced pitching depth in Worcester for the time being.
Other moves
Tyler O'Neill was placed on the 7-day concussion injured list on April 18 (retroactive to April 16) but is expected to be reinstated on Tuesday. Rafael Devers, who has avoided the injured list despite dealing with a bone bruise in his left knee, is also expected to return to action for Tuesday's opener at Progressive Field. Vaughn Grissom (left hamstring strain) began a rehab assignment with Worcester on April 12 and will likely remain with the WooSox for the duration of his 20-day rehab window.
On the minor-league front, Reidis Sena and Conor Steinbaugh were placed on High-A Greenville's 7-day injured list on Sunday. Both placements were made retroactively to Friday. Max Ferguson was placed on Portland's 7-day injured list last Wednesday after crashing into the right field wall at Hadlock Field. Andrew Politi was placed on Worcester's 7-day injured list last Monday due to right elbow inflammation.
Key links
Tanner Houck has emerged as arguably the top first-round selection from the 2017 draft. The Boston Globe's Alex Speier recently spoke with Houck's signing scout, Todd Gold, about what he first saw from the right-hander as an amateur at the University of Missouri.
Josh Winckowski made his first start of the season against the Pirates on Sunday and tossed 3 1/3 innings of one-run ball. With Nick Pivetta (flexor strain) and Garrett Whitlock (oblique strain) still on the shelf, Winckowski will most likely remain in Boston's starting rotation moving forward. The 25-year-old righty reacted to that news in a conversation with MassLive.com's Chris Cotillo.
As previously mentioned, Cam Booser was quite emotional on Friday night after making his big-league debut at the age of 31. Jake Crouse profiled Booser and his unique journey to the majors in a nice piece for MLB.com.
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Players of the Week for April 8-14: OF Jhostynxon Garcia and LHP Zach Penrod
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Players of the Week for April 15-21
Matthew Lugo, OF, Portland Sea Dogs
5 G, 16 AB, 7 H, 3 2B, 1 3B, 1 HR, 3 R, 10 RBI, .438/.571/.938
In addition to earning Eastern League Player of the Week honors, Lugo is also our Player of the Week. The right-handed-hitting 21-year-old came through in the clutch on more than just one occasion while putting together a productive series against the New Hampshire Fisher Cats at Hadlock Field. He is now slashing a stout .357/471/.857 with three homers and 12 RBIs through nine games (34 plate appearances) for Portland this season.
Zach Penrod, LHP, Portland Sea Dogs
1 G, 0-0, 5 1/3 IP, 0.00 ERA, 1 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 6 K
Penrod earns the pitching honors for the second straight week. The 26-year-old lefty took a no-hit bid into the sixth inning of his latest start against New Hampshire this past Thursday. He has yet to allow a run in 10 1/3 innings pitched for Portland to begin the season and is currently ranked as the No. 35 prospect in the organization.
Photo Credit: Triston Casas by Kelly O'Connor