Joely Rodríguez and C.J. Cron both activated their opt-out clauses in their contracts on Friday, prompting the Red Sox to make some crucial decisions before Sunday’s deadline.
One of these players found a spot on Boston’s roster, while the other will be seeking opportunities elsewhere.
Rodríguez’s inclusion in the Red Sox bullpen was confirmed by The Boston Globe’s Alex Speier. With Chris Murphy nursing an elbow injury and Brennan Bernadino being the sole healthy left-handed reliever, Rodríguez’s addition adds much-needed depth to the team. Despite his 6.55 ERA in 11 innings last season, the 32-year-old’s experience made him a viable choice for the bullpen.
On the flip side, Cron’s journey with the Red Sox came to an end as he was released by the club on Sunday. Despite signing a minor league contract on March 1, the seasoned veteran faced tough competition for a spot on the Opening Day roster. With Cron out, Bobby Dalbec steps in as the backup first baseman behind Triston Casas, despite Dalbec’s limited experience with the Red Sox last season.
In another roster update, the Red Sox made a last-minute addition by bringing in right-hander Chase Anderson just four days before the season opener in Seattle. This move required placing Lucas Giolito on the 60-day injured list to accommodate Anderson on the roster.
