Jamie

Westbrook

No real surprises here since Jiménez was informed earlier this week that he wasn’t going to make Tampa Bay’s season-opening roster over former top prospect Curtis Mead.

Westbrook was non-tendered by the Red Sox after hitting .150/.234/.350 over 48 plate appearances in 2024. The 29-year-old is just a depth the piece for 2025 and will need to be added to the 40-man roster to help the Rays this spring.

Westbrook finally broke through to the big leagues in his age-29 season with the Red Sox, slashing .150/.234/.350 with a pair of home runs and seven RBI in 48 plate appearances. He’s now free to explore the open market but will almost assuredly have to settle for a minor league contract with an invitation to big league camp.

Westbrook went unclaimed on waivers after being designated for assignment earlier this week and will remain with Boston for now. The versatile 29-year-old hit just .150 with a .584 OPS, two home runs, and seven RBI in 48 plate appearances with Boston this season, but was hitting .291/.391/.475 in 71 games at Triple-A with a 17 percent strikeout rate and 12 percent walk rate. He will continue to provide organizational depth in the infield for the remainder of the season.

Westbrook, 29, had been back in Triple-A for the last couple of weeks after hitting .150/.234/.350 in 48 plate appearances for the Red Sox. He offers versatility and some thump against lefties, maybe another team will put in a claim.

Westbrook was optioned to make room for the newly acquired Lucas Sims. He hit .150 with a .584 OPS, two home runs and seven RBI in limited time with Boston. Westbrook remains on the 40-man roster and will serve as minor league depth in the time being.

O’Neill is coming off a huge game on Tuesday with two home runs. However, with a right-hander on the mound in a day game, the Red Sox will play Wilyer Abreu in right field, Ceddanne Rafaela in center field, David Hamilton at shortstop, Romy Gonzalez at third base, and Jamie Westbrook at second base.

Westbrook is up to take the place of Enmanuel Valdez with the Red Sox optioning Valdez to Triple-A as the corresponding transaction. Westbrook will serve as a utility option while with Boston in this go-around, and isn’t worth fantasy consideration.

Westbrook should be at least a 26th man in the majors, but the Red Sox currently prefer Romy Gonzalez’s defensive versatility. Westbrook went 4-for-18 with a homer and a double during his two weeks with the Red Sox. His average exit velocity on his 13 balls in play was an impressive 92.8 mph.

With left-hander Cristopher Sanchez on the mound, the Red Sox will deploy their right-handed heavy lineup, which means all of Enmanuel Valdez, Dominic Smith, and Masataka Yoshida will head to the bench. In addition to Dalbec, Jamie Westbrook is in the game at second base and Rob Refsnyder is starting in right field.