The Red Sox are a step closer to finalizing their Opening Day roster, officially announcing another roster cut while informing several others whether or not they’ve made the team.
C.J. Cron, a veteran first baseman expected to compete for the back-up spot behind Triston Casas, has officially been released, the club announced Sunday morning. The club has also informed left-hander Joely Rodriguez and right-hander Justin Slaten that they’ve made the Opening Day roster, and left-hander Lucas Luetge that he will start the year in Triple-A.
Alex Speier of The Boston Globe was first to report the Cron and Rodriguez news, and WEEI’s Rob Bradford reported the decisions on Slaten and Luetge. Red Sox manager Alex Cora also told reporters Sunday there’s “a good chance” Bobby Dalbec makes the team as well.
Cron and Rodriguez both signed minor league deals with the Red Sox this offseason containing opt out provisions that would allow them to become free agents if they didn’t make the big league team. Both triggered their respective opt outs on Friday, giving the Red Sox until Sunday to make a decision on each.
Rodriguez was originally a member of last year’s big league bullpen but missed nearly the entire season due to a series of injuries. The 32-year-old, who has a 4.70 ERA in 168 MLB appearances, came into the spring fully healthy and sought the opportunity to earn his way back onto the team. Now he will be one of two lefties in the Red Sox bullpen, joining incumbent Brennan Bernardino.
As for Cron, the 34-year-old was added after camp opened to provide additional right-handed power and competition for Dalbec. Cron is the more accomplished player at the big league level, having recorded four seasons with 25 or more home runs while being named an All-Star in 2022, but Dalbec is more versatile, having the ability to play third base and occasionally outfield while Cron is exclusively a first baseman.
Cora has been complimentary of Dalbec’s play this spring, and now it appears he’ll get another opportunity to prove himself at the big league level.
Slaten was widely expected to make the team coming into camp, as the right-hander had been highly coveted by the Red Sox in the Rule 5 Draft and was immediately acquired in a trade after he was selected by the New York Mets. Slaten immediately made a strong impression once camp opened, consistently filling the zone with strikes while posting a perfect 0.00 ERA over five appearances.
The Red Sox are expected to finalize their Opening Day roster in the coming days. The club broke camp Sunday and will travel to Texas for a pair of exhibitions against the Rangers on Monday and Tuesday. Following that the Red Sox will travel further west to Seattle, where the club is scheduled to open the season Thursday night against the Mariners.
