Just-in: The Red Sox have acquired a utility player from the White Sox, along with a DFA pitcher

February 1, 2024 Sports Gist Baseball, MLB 0

The Red Sox have acquired a utility player from the White Sox, along with a DFA pitcher

The Red Sox on Wednesday made an addition to their 40-man roster weeks ahead of spring training.

Boston claimed utility player Romy González from the Chicago White Sox, and it designated Zack Weiss for assignment to make room on the 40-man roster, as announced in a press release.

González was drafted by the White Sox in the 18th round of the 2018 MLB Amateur Draft. He’s hit five home runs and 27 RBIs on a .600 OPS in three seasons with Chicago while playing middle infield and in the outfield. González in August underwent surgery to repair a labrum tear in his shoulder, which forced him to miss the remainder of the 2023 season. The 27-year-old has local ties playing for the Orleans Firebirds of the Cape Cod Baseball League in 2017 where he was named an all-star.

Weiss was claimed by the Red Sox from the Los Angeles Angels in August. He recorded a 3.21 ERA in 12 games with Boston with 15 strikeouts.

González’s inclusion to the 40-man roster puts the Red Sox at three utility players along with Ceddanne Rafaela and Pablo Reyes.

READ MORE:

Red Sox make first roster move in a month, adding utility man from White Sox

For the first time in nearly a month, the Red Sox added a player to their major league roster Wednesday afternoon.

Boston claimed infielder/outfielder Romy Gonzalez off waivers from the White Sox and designated pitcher Zack Weiss for assignment, according to a team announcement. The versatile Gonzalez was designated by Chicago late last week. The Red Sox now have a full 40-man roster.

Gonzalez, 27, has played in 86 major league games with the White Sox since debuting in 2021. Primarily a second baseman in that span, he has played five positions in the majors, making 46 starts at second base, seven in right field, four at shortstop, three at third base and three in left field. He projects as a depth option for the Red Sox and has minor league options remaining, so he can be sent to Triple-A Worcester to begin the season.

Gonzalez, a University of Miami product who the White Sox took in the 18th round back in 2018, has struggled with injuries throughout the last few seasons. Between the majors and minors, he has been limited to just 217 games; his 2023 season ended in mid-June before he underwent labrum surgery in August. The White Sox expected him to be ready for the beginning of spring training, so unless there has been a setback, he’s in line to be a full participant once camp opens for the Red Sox in Fort Myers later this month.

Gonzalez had a very strong offensive season at the upper levels of the minors in 2021, hitting .283 with 24 homers, 61 RBIs and an .896 OPS in 93 games (AA and AAA) before earning a big league promotion in September. A right-handed hitter, Gonzalez was ranked by Baseball America as Chicago’s No. 15 prospect two years ago. His raw power, speed (was 7-for-7 on steals in 2023) and positional versatility are intriguing but his history of health issues and high strikeout rate in the majors (36%) are reasons for concern.

For the Red Sox, Gonzalez profiles as a depth option who could compete with Pablo Reyes and Bobby Dalbec for a utility role, assuming he’s healthy. Reyes is out of options while Dalbec can also be sent back to the WooSox.

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