Red Sox release veteran backstop Matt Thaiss

Thaiss was a first-round pick of the division-rival Angels back in 2016 and never really went on to be a highly impactful contributor at the highest level. The 31-year-old has bounced around between several organizations over the last two years, including a stop with the Red Sox most recently where he hit .201 with three homers in 170 plate appearances at Triple-A Worcester. He’s merely emergency organizational depth at this stage of his career, but he still qualifies as an interesting addition given his former prospect status.

This means Connor Wong has won the job as Boston’s backup catcher. Thaiss put pressure on Wong this spring when he got off to a strong start as a hitter and also showcased his plus defensive skills and ability to manage a pitching staff. However, Thaiss wound up going just 4-for-21 this spring, and the Red Sox will see if they can keep him in the organization as catching depth. Gasper is on the 40-man roster, so he will likely head to Triple-A Worcester.

Thaiss fortifies Boston’s catching depth chart behind starter Carlos Narváez and backup Connor Wong. The 30-year-old backstop could potentially push Wong for the backup role in spring training but figures to open the year at Triple-A Worcester. He batted .218/.349/.288 with one homer across 190 plate appearances between the Rays and White Sox this past season.

McKenzie headlines a group of 19 players who elected minor league free agency earlier this week, including catcher Matt Thaiss; infielders Scott Kingery, Keston Hiura, Sergio Alcántara, Terrin Vavra and Vimael Machín; outfielders Jose Siri, Connor Joe and Jordyn Adams; and relievers Noah Davis, Scott Blewett, Brooks Kriske, Kevin Herget, Cionel Pérez, Darren McCaughan, Richard Lovelady, José Ruiz and Jordan Weems.

Thaiss, who was bumped off the roster by the Hunter Feduccia addition, accepted the assignment, and he could be in line to rejoin the Rays as a third catcher once September comes around.

The Rays needed to clear a spot amid a flurry of roster moves on Friday which seems to have cost Thaiss his spot on the club’s active and 40-man rosters. The 30-year-old veteran backstop could have some appeal to teams that are looking for quality catching depth on the waiver wire.

The deal should be official at some point shortly. The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal adds that the Rays are also on the verge of swinging an additional trade with the Marlins for veteran backstop Nick Fortes. He’ll split the catching duties in Tampa Bay with Matt Thaiss over the final two months. Meanwhile, Jansen provides Milwaukee with a reliable lefty-mashing option at catcher, allowing them to move William Contreras to DH with greater frequency down the home stretch.

The move would add some reliable catching depth behind William Contreras, who would likely be able to spend additional time at DH over the final two months. The 30-year-old backstop has split the catching duties this season for Tampa Bay along with Matt Thaiss.

The light-hitting backstop delivered a two-out, two-run double off of Jack Flaherty to cap off a four-run uprising in the opening inning. He then walked in the third and raced around to score on a three-run double by Taylor Walls. Thaiss also smacked an RBI single off of Carlos Hernandez in the sixth inning and added another RBI knock off of Brenan Hanifee in the eighth before scoring on Kameron Misner’s RBI single. Even with this huge night, he’s still hitting just .239/.396/.310 on the season with one homer, 13 RBI and a stolen base in 145 plate appearances.

Tampa Bay traded for Thaiss on Tuesday and will now add him to their active roster. He will likely serve as the backup behind Danny Jansen.