The Boston Red Sox made six roster moves ahead of Friday’s series opener against the Chicago White Sox. They have called up Kaleb Ort, placed Darwinzon Hernandez and Xander Bogaerts on the MLB roster; Chris Sale goes to the COVID-19 related injured list, Austin Davis to the paternity leave, and lastly, Jonathan Arauz was optioned to Triple-A Worcester.
In a busy day for the Sox, Sale tested positive for COVID-19. He’ll miss his next two starts in a busy stretch.
Hernandez, who was rehabbing with the WooSox, will rejoin the Red Sox after a multi-month long right oblique injury. Bogaerts tested positive for COVID-19, but will also rejoin the team and will be today’s starting shortstop.
Ort, 29, will look to make his major-league debut out of the bullpen as he was a Rule 5 pick by Boston, from the Yankees. He’s the third Rule 5 pick to reach the majors this year — Garrett Whitlock, Raynel Espinal, and Ort. Whitlock was the only one to be a major-league Rule 5 pick, forcing Whitlock to be in the majors during the entire season.
Ort, the right-hander, has posted a 3.12 ERA with a 3.56 FIP with Worcester this season across 40 outings. He’s also notched 18 saves and has slated a 30.4 strikeout rate. He was with the Sox on the taxi squad to Chicago, in case another positive test occurred. Ort and Connor Seabold (acquired in Nick Pivetta deal; 3.67 ERA with Worcester through eight outings this season) were the two likely candidates to be called up, and make their major-league debuts.
(Photo of Darwinzon Hernandez by Adam Glanzman/MLB Photos via Getty Images)