Carlos Narvaez Moving Into Starting Role In Boston
With Boston Red Sox catcher Connor Wong (finger) heading to the 10-day injured list due to a fractured left pinkie finger that he suffered in Monday's 6-2 loss to the division-rival Toronto Blue Jays, Carlos Narvaez is the presumed starter, according to MassLive's Chris Cotillo. Blake Sabol is also on the 40-man roster, though, and he's expected to be called up from the minors with Wong heading to the IL. Narvaez, 26, entered the week with a modest four-game hitting streak, but he snapped that after going 0-for-4 in place of the injured Wong on Monday against Toronto. He's now 6-for-18 with four RBI and two runs scored in his first five games of the season, but fantasy managers in two-catcher and AL-only formats shouldn't expect Narvaez to carry them offensively now that he's the favorite for starting duties in Beantown. The Venezuelan was playing in just his 12th MLB contest on Monday.
Carlos Narvaez The Favorite For Backup Catching Duties
The Athletic's Jen McCaffrey writes that Boston Red Sox catcher Carlos Narvaez appears to have the upper hand to win the backup catching role behind starter Connor Wong to begin the 2025 season. Boston acquired Narvaez from the division-rival New York Yankees at the winter meetings. The 26-year-old made his big-league debut last year but played in only six games with the Yankees. The Venezuelan backstop is considered a strong defensive catcher, but he obviously has limited MLB experience. He hit .254/.370/.412 with 58 RBI and nine stolen bases at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre last year. In addition to Narvaez, Blake Sabol adds experienced major-league depth at the position and can also play outfield in a pinch. Narvaez isn't going to be on the fantasy radar unless he's forced into regular playing time if Wong gets injured.
Red Sox Acquire Catcher Carlos Narvaez From Yankees
The Boston Red Sox acquired catcher Carlos Narvaez from the New York Yankees on Wednesday in exchange for minor-league right-hander Elmer Rodriguez-Cruz and international bonus-pool space. In a corresponding move to make room on their 40-man roster, Boston designated infielder/outfielder Enmanuel Valdez for assignment. Narvaez, 26, made his major-league debut with the Yankees in 2024 but only saw action in six games, going 3-for-13 with two walks and six strikeouts. The Venezuelan backstop played 96 games for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre in the minors and slashed .254/.370/.412 with a .782 OPS, 11 home runs, 58 RBI, nine stolen bases and 54 runs scored in 403 plate appearances. Barring another addition at the position by the BoSox this offseason, Narvaez should enter spring training as the favorite for backup duties to Connor Wong in 2025.
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