Mark

Contreras

The Huskies were able to grab a 1-0 lead in the top of the first, but the Red Sox ended up improving to 20-0 in their annual exhibition against the university. Contreras, who spent seven years in the Twins organization before signing a minor league deal with the Red Sox in November, made a nice first impression, hitting the lone homer in the contest. The 29-year-old got into 28 major league games in 2022, but he isn’t much of a candidate to win a spot on Boston’s Opening Day roster.

It’s an interesting pickup for the new-look Red Sox front office under Craig Breslow as Contreras is a solid defensive outfielder that figures to bolster their organizational depth at Triple-A Worcester. The 28-year-old got into 28 games for the Twins during the 2022 campaign and spent all of last season at Triple-A St. Paul.

Contreras got into 28 games last season as a defensive specialist. Dobnak and Stewart have a shot to contribute this season as relief depth for the Twins.

The 27-year-old had been designated for assignment in mid-December to make room on the club’s 40-man roster for Joey Gallo. He passed through waivers unclaimed though and will continue to function as outfield depth for the Twins in 2023.

Contreras has been removed from the Twins’ 40-man roster to make room for newly-signed outfielder Joey Gallo. The 27-year-old defensive specialist got into 28 games last year for Minnesota, hitting .121/.148/.293 with three homers and one steal in 61 plate appearances. He’s a capable outfield defender and might garner some interest on waivers as extra organizational depth.

The 27-year-old outfielder got the Twins on the board when he slugged a 382-foot solo shot off of Drew Hutchison in the fifth inning. It would be his only hit in four at-bats on the night. He has really struggled in his limited time with the big league club this season, hitting just .132/.161/.321 with three homers and six RBI in 56 plate appearances.

The 27-year-old will get another chance with the big league club with Kyle Garlick heading to the injured list. He’s just 3-for-25 (.120) with a 9/0 K/BB ratio in his limited action with the big league club this season. Contreras is starting in right field and batting ninth for the Twins on Friday night against the Guardians.

Kepler was pulled from Sunday’s game after fouling a ball off of his leg and has now missed each of the next four games. Mark Contreras will start in his place in right field on Friday night and bat ninth against Triston McKenzie and the Guardians in a pivotal matchup.

Max Kepler (toe) has been activated from the injured list and Contreras will head back to Triple-A. He should see the majors again if and when the Twins need another outfielder.

Contreras put the game’s first run on the board by lifting a 409-foot solo shot over the left-center field wall in the bottom of the third. He’s 3-for-25 (.120) with two home runs through his first 12 career games.