Bobby

Dalbec

The 29-year-old will get an opportunity to hit the open market for the first time. Dalbec appeared in 37 games for the Red Sox during the 2024 campaign, slashing just .133/.217/.193 with a homer, eight RBI and three stolen bases in 93 plate appearances. He’ll most likely have to settle for a minor league deal with a spring training invitation elsewhere, but stranger things have happened.

Dalbec went unclaimed after being designated for assignment by the Red Sox. The 29-year-old will be a minor-league free agent at the end of the year, and one can’t help but wonder if a team will ask him if he has any interest in pitching.

The Red Sox should have done this months ago and given Dalbec a chance at a fresh start, but it’s possible he would have cleared waivers anyway. His Triple-A numbers have been down some this year — he’s hit .255/.341/.492 with a way-too-high 36% strikeout rate — and he was truly abysmal in 93 major league plate appearances (.133/.217/.193). If he passes through waivers, he’ll likely become a minor league free agent after the season.

Dalbec heads back to the minors with Wilyer Abreu returning from the injured list ahead of Saturday’s game against the Reds. The 28-year-old has added some defensive versatility to his game, but his slashing .133/.217/.193 with one homer and three steals across 93 plate appearances this season in the majors. It’s not what you want.

With left-hander Cristopher Sanchez on the mound, the Red Sox will deploy their right-handed heavy lineup, which means all of Enmanuel Valdez, Dominic Smith, and Masataka Yoshida will head to the bench. In addition to Dalbec, Jamie Westbrook is in the game at second base and Rob Refsnyder is starting in right field.

Devers missed Sunday’s game while dealing with soreness in his knee, but he’s back in the lineup for Tuesday’s opener against the Phillies. The 27-year-old will face off against Zack Wheeler while Bobby Dalbec retreating to the bench.

Devers was removed Saturday due to soreness in his knee, and it’s been a lingering issue for the 27-year-old slugger. He’ll get a day off Sunday with Bobby Dalbec getting the start at the hot corner and hitting seventh.

Dalbec’s home run was his first since last September. He hit 25 home runs in 133 games in 2021, but has had a rough go of it ever since while splitting time between MLB and Triple-A. Last year, Dalbec played first base, second base, third base and shortstop for Boston. He was in right field for the Red Sox on Saturday afternoon with Tyler O’Neill out. Dalbec’s hitting .159 in 28 games this year, though he’s reached base safely in eight of his last nine starts. The 28-year-old former prospect occasionally flashes his immense talent, but isn’t consistent enough to be a legitimate asset in fantasy.

It’s the corresponding transaction to Vaughn Grissom (hamstring) heading to the injured list. Dalbec has flashed the talent that made him a borderline Top 100 prospect at times, but not consistently enough to suggest there’s fantasy upside in his right-handed bat.

Dalbec heads back to the minors to clear a spot on Boston’s roster to activate Vaughn Grissom for Friday’s series opener against the Twins. The 28-year-old batted .137 (7-for-51) with zero homers and two steals this season in 21 games.