Christian Vazquez, Eduardo Rodriguez Starting Season On Disabled List
BOSTON (CBS) -- Red Sox catcher Christian Vazquez will begin the season on the disabled list, the team announced on Monday.
Vazquez is still recovering from Tommy John surgery, which he underwent last April prior to the 2015 season. The move comes as a bit of a surprise, as Vazquez hasn't suffered any major setbacks in his recovery and it was believed that he would start the season in Triple-A with Blake Swihart and Ryan Hanigan on the Red Sox' Opening Day roster.
But given the potential lingering effects of the surgery, and Boston's depth behind the plate to start the season, there's no need for the team to rush a return from the 25-year-old backstop.
Vazquez turned some heads as a defensive wizard in his 55 games behind the plate in 2014, throwing out 15 of the 29 runners who attempted to swipe a bag against him. Prior to joining the Red Sox that season, Vazquez threw out 19 of 29 runners for Pawtucket. He turned in a .987 fielding percentage during his stint in the Majors, with a .990 fielding percentage throughout his minor league career.
The Red Sox also announced that right-handed pitchers Carson Smith and Brandon Workman and left-handed pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez will also begin the season on the disabled list. Rodriguez, who figures to be a key part of the starting rotation this season, suffered a knee injury back on February 28.
The Red Sox also announced the following roster moves on Monday:
- Infielder Deven Marrero was optioned to Triple-A Pawtucket.
- Infielder Josh Rutledge, first baseman/outfielder Allen Craig, outfielder Brennan Boesch, catchers Dan Butler and Sandy Leon, and right-handed pitcher Anthony Varvaro were reassigned to minor league camp.
- Right-hander Carlos Marmol was released.
With Monday's roster moves, the Red Sox now have 27 players in big league camp, including 26 players from the 40-man roster and one non-roster invitee.
