Red Sox designate two veterans for assignment, claim right-handed reliever off waivers
The Red Sox are cutting loose a pair of veterans, designating right-hander Chase Anderson and catcher Reese McGuire for assignment to clear space on the active roster for new trade acquisitions James Paxton and Danny Jansen.
In addition, the Red Sox also claimed right-handed reliever Yohan Ramirez off waivers from the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Anderson had served as Boston’s long-relief man out of the bullpen, and in that role he’d posted a 4.85 ERA over 52 innings. Anderson typically pitched in low-leverage situations where the Red Sox were either far ahead or way behind, but with Paxton set to join the Red Sox rotation the club had to make a decision and opted to cut ties with Anderson so that Cooper Criswell could shift from the No. 5 spot to the bullpen.
McGuire was originally acquired at the 2022 trade deadline and since then has primarily served as Boston’s backup catcher. This season his offensive production has dried up and 52 games he’s batted .209 with three home runs, 18 RBI and a .575 OPS. He became expendable after the Red Sox acquired Jansen on Saturday, and the former Blue Jay will now slot in as Boston’s second catcher alongside Connor Wong.
Ramirez, a 29-year-old right-hander, was designated for assignment by the Dodgers earlier this week after posting a 5.98 ERA over 43.2 innings in 37 appearances this season. Ramirez has also pitched for the New York Mets and Baltimore Orioles, and if he is added to Boston’s big league roster then the Red Sox will become his fourth MLB club this season.
Paxton will wear No. 65 for the Red Sox, and Jansen will wear No. 28.