There wasn't a spot on the Boston Red Sox active roster for Reese McGuire when the club acquired Danny Jansen prior to the MLB trade deadline.
But turns out, McGuire isn't going far.
The Red Sox designated McGuire for assignment this past Sunday, but Boston announced Friday it ended up retaining the veteran catcher and outrighted him to Triple-A Worcester.
McGuire, 29, gives the franchise great depth at the catching position and an experienced player they could call up in the event Jansen or Connor Wong get injured over the second half of the season. McGuire batted .209 with three home runs and 18 RBIs in 52 games this season.
Optioning McGuire to Triple-A wasn't the only roster move the Red Sox made Friday before their series against the Rangers in Texas. Yohan Ramírez experienced a similar fate to McGuire. Ramírez, who was very recently claimed off waivers from the Los Angeles Dodgers, had one ugly relief outing for the Red Sox earlier this week against the Seattle Mariners that led to him being designated for assignment. But Ramírez cleared waivers and is being sent to Worcester alongside McGuire.
Boston also announced pitchers Chase Anderson, who was designated for assignment at the same time as McGuire, and Brandon Walter were released. Anderson signed with the Red Sox in late March and didn't pitch many meaningful innings for Boston this season over 27 appearances, including one spot start. He posted a 4.85 ERA. Walter made nine appearances last season for the Red Sox but didn't pitch this year due to injury.
Trey Wingenter, who the Red Sox acquired in a trade with the Detroit Tigers last month, was designated for assignment this week, too. The right-handed pitcher was claimed off waivers by the Chicago Cubs.
