Red Sox Forced To Make Slew Of Roster Moves

The Boston Red Sox continue to lose bodies to a Covid outbreak, forcing them to make a number of roster moves. Starting catcher Christian Vazquez and infielder Jonathan Arauz are the latest to be placed on the Covid-19 injured list. Infielder/outfielder Rob Refsnyder, catcher Ronaldo Hernandez, and right-hander Tyler Danish will all join the big club from Triple-A Worcester.

To add to the roster turmoil, starter Rich Hill has also left the team on bereavement leave. 

Red Sox beat writer Chris Cotillo breaks it all down:

So, to recap Red Sox moves in last 2 days.

* Kevin Plawecki, Christian Vázquez, Jonathan Araúz to COVID IL.
* Rich Hill to bereavement list
* Connor Wong, Ronaldo Hernández, Rob Refsnyder, Tyler Danish up from WooSox.

— Chris Cotillo (@ChrisCotillo) April 19, 2022

Hernandez joins the recently-recalled Connor Wong as the Red Sox new backstop tandem, which Cotillo reports could be the future of the position in Boston. 

Refsnyder can help fill Arauz's utility role, while Danish, who hasn't pitched in the big leagues since 2018, fills a spot in the bullpen.

Manager Alex Cora says all three of the positive Covid players are vaccinated, so they can return as soon as they clear protocols, possibly sooner than 10 days. 

To add to the Red Sox woes, they'll be traveling to Toronto in less than a week to take on the Blue Jays at Rogers Center, and will be without several players—as yet unnamed aside from starter Tanner Houck—who are ineligible to cross the border due to their unvaccinated status. 

The BoSox host the Blue Jays in a 3-game set at Fenway starting Tuesday night. 

Photo Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports