Red Sox injuries & roster moves
LATEST NEWS
Nov. 19: RHP Nick Pivetta declines qualifying offer
If Pivetta had accepted the qualifying offer, he would have returned to Boston on a one-year, $21.05 million deal. Instead, the Red Sox will get Draft pick compensation if another team signs him, although they could bring him back under a reconstructed contract. More >>
Nov. 19: OF Jhostynxon Garcia, RHP Hunter Dobbins added to 40-man roster; RHPs Isaiah Campbell and Bryan Mata designated for assignment
The moves were made to protect Garcia (Boston's No. 12 prospect, per MLB Pipeline) and Dobbins (No. 21) from the Rule 5 Draft. More >>
Nov. 4: Red Sox exercise club option for OF Rob Refsnyder
Refsnyder, a key bench piece for Boston the past three seasons, will be back in 2025, as the Red Sox have picked up his $2 million club option. Refsnyder is one of Boston's best weapons against lefty pitchers, hitting them at a .302/.393/.548 clip last season, with eight homers and 23 RBIs in 145 plate appearances. The right-handed hitter played in 93 games in '24, hitting .283 with 11 homers and 40 RBIs in 307 plate appearances.
Oct. 31: RHP Lucas Giolito exercises 2025 player option
After missing the entire '24 season after undergoing an internal bracing procedure on his right elbow, Giolito exercised his $19 million player option to return to the Red Sox in '25. The expectation is that Giolito will be able to contribute for most -- if not all -- of the '25 season. By exercising his option, it now kicks in a $14 million club option for '26. If Giolito pitches 140 innings or more in '25, it becomes a mutual option. The Red Sox are hoping Giolito can provide a key veteran presence for the club's rotation in '25.
INJURY UPDATES
DH Masataka Yoshida (right shoulder surgery)
Yoshida, who revealed on the final day of the regular season that he had been playing through discomfort in his right shoulder, underwent labral repair surgery on Oct. 3. The Red Sox did not offer a rehab timetable for Yoshida, who signed a five-year, $90 million contract before the 2023 season.
RHP Liam Hendriks (right UCL surgery)
The righty says he will be a full-go for the offseason and Spring Training, and he looks forward to competing to be Boston's closer in '25.
RHP Garrett Whitlock (damaged UCL in right elbow)
Whitlock played catch on Sept. 26 for the first time since his May 30 surgery and he is looking forward to coming to Spring Training healthy. Whitlock said he prefers to pitch in whatever role the Red Sox think he will be most healthy in. Used as a starter in his abbreviated '24 season, Whitlock had a 1-0 record and a 1.96 ERA in four starts.
RHP Isaiah Campbell (right elbow inflammation)
The Red Sox recalled Campbell from Triple-A Worcester on Sept. 7 and placed him on the 60-day injured list, ending his season. The 27-year-old righty pitched in eight games for the Red Sox this season, allowing 12 earned runs in 6 2/3 innings. He also pitched 14 games for Worcester, notching a 2.20 ERA.
LHP Chris Murphy (left UCL)
Murphy, who came up as a starter before being converted into a multi-inning reliever last season, underwent successful reconstruction of the left ulnar collateral ligament (elbow). Dr. Keith Meister performed the surgery at Texas Metroplex Institute for Sports Medicine & Orthopedic Surgery in Arlington in April. Red Sox manager Alex Cora credited Murphy for "killing the rehab."
RHP Lucas Giolito (right UCL surgery)
Giolito was moved to the 60-day injured list on March 24. He underwent surgery to repair his right elbow ulnar collateral ligament on March 12 after two Grapefruit League starts (4 1/3 innings). He stayed in Boston throughout the season and became a mentor to the younger pitchers on the staff. Giolito exercised his player option for '25 and is expected to be ready for most -- if not all -- of the upcoming season.
MINOR LEAGUE INJURED LIST
SS Marcelo Mayer (lumbar strain)
Mayer missed the final month of the season for a second straight year, this time with a lumbar strain. Boston's top prospect was promoted from Double-A Portland to Triple-A Worcester along with Roman Anthony (MLB's No. 12 prospect) and Kyle Teel (MLB No. 24) on Aug. 11, but he hadn't played since July 30, and on Aug. 20 he was placed on the injured list without appearing in a WooSox game. Red Sox director of player development Brian Abraham expects Mayer to be at full strength start Spring Training.
Mayer had been leading the Eastern League in hitting, having slashed .307/.370/.480 with eight homers and 13 stolen bases through 77 games. Last year, the fourth overall pick of the 2021 Draft struggled through a left shoulder impingement to bat .236/.306/.433 -- but he slashed .337/.414/.582 before the injury -- before being shut down in August.