Two experienced players from the Red Sox exercise their opt-out clauses

Two veterans currently with the Red Sox camp have activated opt-out clauses in their contracts on Friday. This action has initiated a 48-hour period during which the Red Sox must make decisions regarding their future with the team. First baseman C.J. Cron and left-handed reliever Joely Rodríguez are the players in question. The Red Sox have until Sunday to determine whether to include them on the 40-man roster or release them into free agency.

The news was first reported by Alex Speier of The Boston Globe on Friday afternoon. Veteran catcher Roberto Pérez also had a similar clause in his minor league contract but has chosen to remain with the team, as per an industry source. Looking ahead to early next week, left-handed pitcher Lucas Luetge has a clause that could allow him to explore other opportunities if another team offers him a guaranteed spot in the major leagues.

In terms of the Opening Day roster, both C.J. Cron and Joely Rodríguez are in contention for spots. Cron is competing with Bobby Dalbec for the backup first base position behind Triston Casas, while Rodríguez, along with Lucas Luetge, is vying for a spot in the team’s bullpen. Both players signed minor league contracts after the start of camp and, being major league free agents, have opt-out provisions as per the collective bargaining agreement.

If the Red Sox opt to include Bobby Dalbec on the roster, they might choose to let C.J. Cron explore other opportunities. Alternatively, they could decide to retain Cron, a former All-Star who has posted a 2-for-15 record in five spring games, and send Dalbec down to Triple-A Worcester at the start of the season. The bullpen situation is more flexible, as there are multiple openings. Manager Alex Cora mentioned to reporters on Friday that with Tanner Houck and Garrett Whitlock securing spots in the rotation, standout Cooper Criswell from camp will begin the season in Worcester’s rotation rather than the major league bullpen. The Red Sox are likely to have two left-handed pitchers in the bullpen, with Joely Rodríguez and Lucas Luetge competing to join Brennan Bernardino in that role. Others contending for bullpen spots include Greg Weissert, Josh Winckowski, and Zack Kelly. The health status of Kenley Jansen will also influence whether an additional spot becomes available before Thursday’s opener.

The upcoming days are likely to see significant player movement across baseball, with more than 30 players having opt-out clauses in their contracts. The Red Sox, in particular, are actively seeking to bolster their depth, especially in the starting rotation and outfield positions, and are anticipated to be quite active in making moves.