RED SOX MAKE ROSTER MOVES
Open season Friday in Seattle
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 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.
Crawford roughed up
For the first time in his career Kutter Crawford has earned a big league starting rotation spot out of spring training, but his last tune-up before the regular season could have gone better.
The 27-year- old right-hander struggled in his final start of the spring, allowing five runs over 5.2 innings in the Red Sox’ 5-5 tie with the Atlanta Braves. Facing a lineup loaded with AllStars, Crawford allowed eight hits and two walks while serving up a pair of towering tworun home runs to Braves catcher
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both varsity teams her senior year.
Chabot attended Fitchburg State University following graduation from St. Bernard’s ald eventually returned to the Activity Center to coach the school’s varsity girls lacrosse team
and the junior varsity field hockey team under then-varsity head coach and St. Bernard’s Athletic Hall of Famer Kate Dellechiaie.
“I’m a little bit older now and a little wiser than I
was the first time I coached here,” said Chabot with a smile. “I am looking forward to getting out there and working with the athletes and making this a positive experience and one
they won’t forget. I still stay in touch with many of the friends and coaches I had in high school. This is a really special place and I’m happy to be a part of it.”
Chabot plans to speak
with last year’s assistant coach Beth Terho to ask if she is interested in returning. Terho, a 2000 graduate of St. Bernard’s, is currently the school’s girls varsity lacrosse coach.