Outfielder Jarren Duran and infielder Jonathan Arauz were both activated off the COVID-19 injured list after recovering from the virus but were not placed on the now 28-man roster, the Boston Red Sox announced Thursday.
The #RedSox today reinstated OF Jarren Duran and INF Jonathan Araúz from the COVID-19 Related Injured List and optioned them to Triple-A Worcester.
To make room on the 40-man roster, the Red Sox designated RHPs Geoff Hartlieb and Yacksel Rios for assignment.
— Red Sox (@RedSox) September 23, 2021
Because they were reinstated, space was needed on the 40-man roster. That called for the DFA’ing of right-handed relievers Yacksel Rios and Geoff Hartlieb.
The 25-year-old, Duran, hit just .215 with an OPS of .537 through his first 33 major-league games, striking a pair of homers while tallying 17 runs, 10 RBI, three doubles, two triples, four walks, two stolen bases, 40 strikeouts, and a disappointingly low 49 wRC+.
Arauz, in his second season with the club, has hit .185 with an OPS of .643 through 28 games that are across a countless amount of up-and-down stints with the club. Being constantly optioned, in the time that he’s been with Boston he’s notched three homers to go along with nine runs, eight RBI, three doubles, eight walks, no stolen bases, and a 72 wRC+.
Hartlieb, 27, was claimed by Boston in the thick of the COVID-19 outbreak. He did not record a single appearance with the WooSox.
Yacksel Rios was acquired by Boston in July for cash considerations, and had a notable few outings with the club before getting demoted to Worcester. He salvaged a 3.70 ERA with the Sox across 20 outings (24.1 innings), posting a 4.89 FIP.
Boston has seven days to either trade, waive, or release both Hartlieb and Rios.
(Photo Of Jarren Duran By Winslow Townson/Getty Images)