Injuries & Moves: Booser dealt to White Sox for prospect
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Dec. 21: LHP Cam Booser traded to White Sox for Minor League RHP Yhoiker Fajardo
After acquiring lefty relievers Aroldis Chapman and Justin Wilson earlier in the winter, the Red Sox didn't see much of an opening for the 32-year-old Booser, who made his Major League debut last season and notched a 3.38 ERA with 43 strikeouts in 43 games.
In exchange, Boston gets an 18-year-old pitcher in Fajardo, who made his professional debut in 2024, posting a 3.91 ERA (22 ER/50.2 IP) in 13 starts for the Dominican Summer League White Sox. The right-hander struck out 64 batters while issuing only eight walks and allowing only two home runs. Born in Venezuela, Fajardo signed with the White Sox as an international free agent in February 2024.
Dec. 20: Non-roster invites RHP Michael Fulmer, C Seby Zavala, INF/OF Nate Eaton, RHP Isaiah Campbell, RHP Bryan Mata and RHP Wyatt Mills added to Spring Training roster.
Fulmer, the 2016 American League Rookie of the Year Award winner and '17 All-Star for the Tigers, highlights the list. The 31-year-old missed the entire '24 season recovering from a right elbow UCL revision surgery performed on Oct. 18, 2023.
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.