Injuries & Moves: Shugart dealt to Pirates for RHP McShane
LATEST NEWS
Jan. 17: RHP Matt McShane acquired from Pirates in exchange for RHP Chase Shugart
Shugart was designated for assignment on Wednesday, when the Red Sox acquired catcher Blake Sabol in a trade with the Giants.
McShane is a 22-year-old right-hander who was selected by the Pirates in the 13th round of last year's MLB Draft out of St. Joseph's University. He has not yet pitched in pro ball, as he did not join a Pittsburgh Minor League affiliate following the Draft. McShane had a 3.95 ERA in 20 games (one start) at St. Joseph's last season.
INJURY UPDATES
DH Masataka Yoshida (right shoulder surgery)
Yoshida, who revealed on the final day of the regular season that he had been playing through discomfort in his right shoulder, underwent labral repair surgery on Oct. 3. The Red Sox did not offer a rehab timetable for Yoshida, who signed a five-year, $90 million contract before the 2023 season.
RHP Liam Hendriks (right UCL surgery)
The righty says he will be a full-go for the offseason and Spring Training, and he looks forward to competing to be Boston's closer in '25.
RHP Garrett Whitlock (damaged UCL in right elbow)
Whitlock played catch on Sept. 26 for the first time since his May 30 surgery and he is looking forward to coming to Spring Training healthy. Whitlock said he prefers to pitch in whatever role the Red Sox think he will be most healthy in. Used as a starter in his abbreviated '24 season, Whitlock had a 1-0 record and a 1.96 ERA in four starts.
LHP Chris Murphy (left UCL)
Murphy, who came up as a starter before being converted into a multi-inning reliever last season, underwent successful reconstruction of the left ulnar collateral ligament (elbow). Dr. Keith Meister performed the surgery at Texas Metroplex Institute for Sports Medicine & Orthopedic Surgery in Arlington in April. Red Sox manager Alex Cora credited Murphy for "killing the rehab."
RHP Lucas Giolito (right UCL surgery)
Giolito was moved to the 60-day injured list on March 24. He underwent surgery to repair his right elbow ulnar collateral ligament on March 12 after two Grapefruit League starts (4 1/3 innings). He stayed in Boston throughout the season and became a mentor to the younger pitchers on the staff. Giolito exercised his player option for '25 and is expected to be ready for most -- if not all -- of the upcoming season.
MINOR LEAGUE INJURED LIST
SS Marcelo Mayer (lumbar strain)
Mayer missed the final month of the season for a second straight year, this time with a lumbar strain. Boston's top prospect was promoted from Double-A Portland to Triple-A Worcester along with Roman Anthony (MLB's No. 3 prospect) and Kyle Teel (MLB No. 25) on Aug. 11, but he hadn't played since July 30, and on Aug. 20 he was placed on the injured list without appearing in a WooSox game. Red Sox director of player development Brian Abraham expects Mayer to be at full strength start Spring Training.
Mayer had been leading the Eastern League in hitting, having slashed .307/.370/.480 with eight homers and 13 stolen bases through 77 games. Last year, the fourth overall pick of the 2021 Draft struggled through a left shoulder impingement to bat .236/.306/.433 -- but he slashed .337/.414/.582 before the injury -- before being shut down in August.