Enmanuel Valdez The Red Sox have kept fans and reporters guessing about their September call-ups all season long, but the curtain’s about to rise on their roster moves. With Major League Baseball expanding rosters from 26 to 28 players starting September 1, Boston’s about to add some fresh faces to their lineup—a much-needed boost for a team that’s looked downright sluggish in the second half.
Manager Alex Cora had hinted that the Sox would be recalling one position player and one pitcher. While he’s been tight-lipped about the specifics, it looks like the mystery is solved. According to Chris Henrique of Beyond The Monster, infielder/outfielder Enmanuel Valdez is en route to Detroit, likely set to join the active roster. Valdez, who started the season as the Red Sox’s second baseman, has been on a rollercoaster ride between Boston and Triple-A all year.
In the same vein, Christoper Smith from MassLive reported that right-handed pitcher Chase Shugart is also heading to Detroit. Shugart, who made his big-league debut in August against the Orioles after over six years in the Boston system, will be another key addition.
Although the Sox didn’t announce these moves before their Saturday game against the Detroit Tigers, it’s pretty clear Valdez and Shugart are the chosen ones. Smith confirmed on X that Valdez is officially a September call-up.
At 25, Valdez was part of the 2022 trade that sent Christian Vázquez to the Houston Astros, alongside Wilyer Abreu. This season, he’s posted a .682 OPS and six home runs in 60 games but has had a rough go at second base. He’s also seen some time in left field down in Triple-A.
Shugart, now 27, had a brief stint in the majors where he pitched 2 2/3 innings against the Orioles, giving up one run and notching his first two career strikeouts. Back in Worcester, he’s held a 4.55 ERA this season but hasn’t allowed a run in his last 5 1/3 innings.
With the Red Sox pushing for a playoff spot, every hand on deck counts. Valdez and Shugart will need to step up and make their presence felt as Boston heads into this critical stretch of the season. Keep an eye on these two—they might just become key players in the Sox’s playoff push.