Red Sox Shake Up Roster with Key Moves Ahead of Season

BOSTON, Mass. — The Boston Red Sox acted swiftly to fill their 40-man roster, announcing multiple transactions on Monday linked to recent trades and player performance.

Shortly after trading right-hander Quinn Priester to the Milwaukee Brewers, the Red Sox added pitcher Stock from Triple-A Worcester. This move comes on the heels of Boston seeking to solidify its pitching lineup as they prepare for the upcoming season.

Stock, a 35-year-old veteran, was selected from Worcester following the trade that sent Priester to Milwaukee in exchange for minor league outfielder Yophery Rodriguez and additional considerations. In his stint at Worcester, Stock demonstrated impressive performance, allowing no runs in 8 1/3 innings with 12 strikeouts across two games.

“He’s shown he can handle pressure situations, and we’re excited to give him the opportunity in the big leagues,” said manager Alex Cora. “We trust his experience to make an immediate impact.”

In a corresponding move, the Red Sox optioned fellow right-hander Cooper Criswell to the WooSox after he struggled in a recent outing. Criswell allowed five runs, three of which were earned, during a three-inning appearance against the St. Louis Cardinals. Despite the rough outing, Criswell managed to secure his first MLB save as the Red Sox offense exploded for 18 runs.

The trade of Priester marks a significant shift for the organization, which had high hopes for the young pitcher. Acquired last July as part of a deal sending infielder Nick Yorke to the Pittsburgh Pirates, Priester was initially viewed as a potential asset on the major league roster.

Priester, the 18th overall pick in the 2019 MLB Draft, was aiming for a spot on Cora’s Opening Day roster. After a rocky start in Triple-A Worcester, where he allowed two runs in four innings, the team weighed their options and decided to facilitate a trade. Rodriguez, the Brewers’ seventh-best prospect, has emerged as a promising player, starting his season strong with a .417 batting average.

With these transactions, the Red Sox currently have one open spot on their 40-man roster, signaling potential for further changes as the season progresses.