Ronaldo

Hernandez

The Red Sox were looking to bolster their organizational catching depth after dealing Blake Sabol to the White Sox, so they picked up Hernández. The 27-year-old backstop has appeared in 25 games at the Triple-A level this season, slashing .221/.287/.351 with a pair of homers, 13 RBI and a 19/8 K/BB ratio over 88 plate appearances. He’ll add depth in the upper minors for the Red Sox.

Hernández, 27, is joining his third AL East organization after years as a prospect for the Rays and Red Sox. The 27-year-old played for the D-backs’ Triple-A club last year, batting .311/.357/.507 in 237 plate appearances. He’ll probably share time behind the plate in Triple-A once again.

Pilkington and Hernández are the most notable inclusions among Arizona’s first batch of cuts from spring training. Pilkington will remain with the club as organizational pitching depth, while Hernández continues to serve as emergency catching insurance.

Considered one of the game’s best catching prospects five years ago, Hernández hasn’t impressed enough offensively or defensively in recent seasons to get a shot. The 26-year-old hit .242/.336/.445 for Boston’s Triple-A affiliate last season. He’ll likely go into spring training third or fourth on the D-backs’ catching depth chart.

No one here had a chance of making the Red Sox unless players started getting hurt. There’s still some hope that Hernández, 25, could emerge as a solid No. 2 catcher at some point, but he’s fourth or fifth on the depth chart at the moment.

The procedural move frees up a spot on the Red Sox’ 40-man roster heading into the Winter Meetings and Rule 5 Draft. The 25-year-old backstop went unclaimed on waivers and will continue to serve as organizational catching depth at Triple-A Worcester in 2023.

Recent trade acquisition Reese McGuire will fill his spot as Boston’s new No. 2 option at catcher.

Hernández got up for a brief cup of coffee with the Red Sox back in April, but has yet to get into a big-league contest. He joins the Red Sox as emergency catching depth following the trade of Christian Vázquez to the Astros on Monday night.

Hernandez was only with the big league club for one day while Christian Vazquez was on the COVID-19 injured list. He’ll continue to serve as additional catching depth for the club at Triple-A.

This figures to be a short stay for Hernandez, who’s up in the major leagues for the first time with Rich Hill going on the bereavement list. The 24-year-old catcher slashed .284/.326/.501 with 16 home runs in 99 games last season between the Double-A and Triple-A affiliates of the Red Sox.