Minor Notes: Fitts and Guerrero make big-league debuts; Story returns

The Red Sox have won three of their last four but are still on the outside looking in when it comes to the American League Wild Card race. On the minor-league front, Worcester and Portland are in the mix for playoff spots while Greenville and Salem wrapped things up for the year on Sunday. Here is a rundown of key events that have transpired within the organization over the last week.

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Fitts, Guerrero make MLB debuts

Right-handers Richard Fitts (pictured) and Luis Guerrero made their major-league debuts in Sunday's 7-2 loss to the White Sox at Fenway Park. Fitts got the starting nod and allowed two unearned runs on six hits, one walk, and two strikeouts over 5 2/3 innings. He threw 66 pitches (44 strikes) and induced five swings-and-misses. Guerrero took over for Zack Kelly with one out in the top of the ninth inning and retired the only two batters he faced on a pair of flyouts. He needed just eight pitches (five strikes) to do so.

Dalbec, Hill DFA'd

To create space on the 40-man roster for Fitts and Guerrero, infielder/outfielder Bobby Dalbec and left-hander Rich Hill were designated for assignment. Dalbec appeared in 37 games for Boston this season, batting .133/.217/.193 with one home run and eight RBIs. Hill, meanwhile, was brought in on a minor-league contract on August 17 and called up 10 days later. The 44-year-old southpaw got into four games, surrendering two earned runs on one hit, three walks, and five strikeouts over 3 2/3 innings of relief. While Dalbec remains in DFA limbo, Hill has already been released.

Story returns

A little less than five months after undergoing left shoulder surgery that was initially expected to end his season, Trevor Story was activated from the 60-day injured list on Saturday. The 31-year-old shortstop went 1 for 4 with an RBI single in his return to the Red Sox lineup and has reached base in all three games he has appeared in thus far. To accommodate the addition of Story, catcher/infielder Mickey Gasper was optioned to Worcester while right-hander Isaiah Campbell (right elbow inflammation) was recalled and placed on the 60-day injured list.

Other injury updates

In Worcester, Japanese right-hander Naoyuki Uwasasa was placed on the 7-day injured list with right elbow inflammation on Saturday. Fellow righty Jacob Webb was promoted from Portland to take his place on the WooSox roster. Speaking of Portland, left-hander Cam Booser (left elbow inflammation) began a rehab assignment with the Sea Dogs on Saturday while righty Felix Cepeda (right shoulder fatigue) was activated from the 7-day injured list.

Alvarez dealt to Mets

The Red Sox made a minor trade on Sunday by sending veteran utilityman Eddy Alvarez to the Mets for cash considerations. Alvarez, 34, was subsequently called up by New York (old friend Pablo Reyes was designated for assignment in a corresponding move) for its series opener against the Blue Jays in Toronto. He pinch-ran for Francisco Lindor in the eighth inning of a 2-2 game and scored what would prove to be the winning run on a passed ball moments later.

Podcast

On Episode No. 330 of the SoxProspects Podcast, our own Chris Hatfield and Ian Cundall report back from getting live looks at Worcester, Portland, and Salem. They also discuss DSL Red Sox Red winning the 2024 Dominican Summer League championship. You can listen to the episode in its entirety by clicking here.

Additionally, Baseball America's Geoff Pontes is the featured guest on Episode No. 331 of the SoxProspects Podcast. Roman Anthony's ascension to the top spot in BA's top 100 prospects rankings following Junior Caminero's graduation is discussed, so be on the lookout for that once it drops.

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Players of the Week for September 2-8

Caden Rose, OF, Salem Red Sox

5 G, 16 AB, 7 H, 4 2B, 6 R, 4 RBI, 3 SB, 4 BB, 4 K, .438/.591/.688

After spending nearly three months on Greenville's injured list, Rose began rehabbing with Salem on August 22 and was ultimately assigned to Boston's Carolina League affiliate eight days later. In 10 games for the Red Sox, the right-handed hitting 22-year-old batted .353/.476/.529 with six doubles, seven RBIs, nine runs scored, three stolen bases, five walks, and 10 strikeouts over 42 plate appearances to close out his first full season in pro ball.

Richard Fitts, RHP, Worcester Red Sox

1 G, 1-0, 6 IP, 2 H, 0 BB, 5 K

Fresh off making his MLB debut, Fitts was recognized as the International League Pitcher of the Week for the week of September 2-8. Before officially becoming a big-leaguer on Sunday, the 24-year-old righty had posted a 2.38 ERA and 0.88 WHIP with 37 strikeouts to four walks in his last six starts (34 innings) for Worcester dating back to August 2. He is currently ranked as the No. 12 prospect in the system.

Photo Credit: Richard Fitts by Kelly O'Connor

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