Article: Red Sox Make Roster Moves Ahead of Homestand

[Nick John]

Fresh off the first five-hit game of his career and the birth of his second child, Alex Bregman is back in Boston, along with Hunter Dobbins. Nick Sogard is back in Worcester, and Michael Fulmer's fate is yet to be determined.

Before the Boston Red Sox kicked off their homestand with a four-game series against the Chicago White Sox, they made a series of roster moves. Following the birth of his second child, Alex Bregman will be reinstated from the Paternity List. Bregman missed the finale of the Tampa Bay Rays series, flying back to Boston to be with his family as they welcomed their second child. Now that Bennet Bregman has made his debut, Alex Bregman will return to the lineup. In his last game, the right-hander broke out, going 5-for-5 with two home runs and four RBIs. It was his first career five-hit game.

The corresponding move was optioning Nick Sogard back to Triple-A Worcester. The utility player was recalled for the final game against the Rays but did not play. The team opted to have Romy González start at third base instead. Sogard has shown the ability to learn and play any position he's asked to play. He’s played every position besides catcher, center field, and pitcher since joining the organization. His defensive versatility makes him an incredibly important depth piece for the team. So far on the season, he’s played in 12 games for Worcester, hitting .159/.275/.205 in 44 at-bats.

The Red Sox also made moves on the pitching side. The team recalled right-hander Hunter Dobbins to start the first game of the four-game series. Dobbins made his major league debut back on April 6, making a spot start in the second game of a doubleheader against St. Louis. In his debut, Dobbins pitched five innings, working his way around eight hits and two walks. He only surrendered two runs and struck out five. Dobbins has pitched twice in Worcester, both times in relief of a player on a rehab appearance. The two appearances haven’t been as good as his start with the Red Sox, only lasting a combined 6 2/3 innings and resulting in eight runs on seven hits, four of them home runs. With Richard Fitts on the injured list there’s a chance Dobbins could stick around in the majors for a bit, dependent on what the team decides while Lucas Giolito continues to rehab.

To make room for Dobbins on the active roster, the team designated Michael Fulmer for assignment. Fulmer signed a two-year minor league deal with the Red Sox prior to the 2024 season with the intent of rehabbing throughout 2024 and hopefully making the team in 2025. The right-hander was reassigned to minor league camp at the end of spring training and opened the year with Worcester in the rotation. Making three appearances, two starts, Fulmer pitched to a 3.09 era in 11 2/3 innings. The former Rookie of the Year looked rather dominant for Worcester, striking out 18 batters and only allowed four runs on seven hits. Following the news that Fitts would be placed on the IL, Fulmer was selected to the active roster. He would only pitch one game with the team, the opening game of the Tampa Bay series. In it, he threw 2 2/3 innings while allowing three runs on four hits, a home run, and two walks. He also struck out two. Whether the 32-year-old will make it through waivers is unknown, and there's no guarantee he returns to Worcester, as he could refuse an assignment there.

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