Red Sox roster moves: Jaylin Davis, Phillips Valdez sent down to WooSox; Travis Shaw elects free agency

BALTIMORE, MD - MAY 01: Boston Red Sox right fielder Jaylin Davis (43) before an American League baseball game between the Baltimore Orioles and the Boston Red Sox, on May 01, 2022, at Orioles Park at Camden Yards, in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Tony Quinn/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
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BALTIMORE -- The Red Sox trimmed their active roster from 28 players to 26 by optioning outfielder Jaylin Davis and reliever Phillips Valdez to Triple-A Worcester on Sunday, multiple sources told MassLive.

Because of the lockout-induced abbreviated spring training, Major League Baseball allowed its teams to use a 28-man roster for the first few weeks of the season. By Monday, all teams must cut down to 26 players, which is the normal amount. Teams can carry 14 pitchers until May 30; the Sox will proceed with 14 pitchers and 12 position players for the time being.

Davis was claimed off waivers from the Giants on Thursday and joined the Red Sox for their series in Baltimore. He made his club debut Sunday and got two hits in a 9-5 loss. The 27-year-old right-handed hitter will continue to provide outfield depth in Worcester. He was the only logical position player to be sent down unless the Red Sox went with a surprising move like optioning Bobby Dalbec.

Valdez entered Sunday with a 3.24 ERA in 8 ⅓ innings before imploding in the rain-delayed sixth inning of Boston’s loss to the Orioles. The righty allowed four earned runs on four hits while walking a batter and hitting another in two innings. His ERA ballooned to 6.10 an he threw 53 pitches. He will join Worcester’s bullpen but should help the Red Sox at some point later in the season. Kutter Crawford and Ryan Brasier were two other candidates to be optioned but will remain with the big league team for now.

Shaw elects free agency

First baseman Travis Shaw, who was designated for assignment Friday after starting the season 0-for-19 with seven strikeouts, is officially no longer a member of the Red Sox organization. Shaw cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Worcester on Sunday but rejected the assignment and elected free agency. He’s now free to sign with any team he chooses.

Shaw, 32, hit .238 with three homers an an .843 OPS to begin this second stint with the Red Sox after coming over in a waiver claim last August. But he was unable to reclaim that form after signing a minor-league deal during spring training and was cut in favor of Franchy Cordero, who was called up and started twice over the weekend in Baltimore.

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