The Red Sox have released infielder Brendan Rodgers, according to his MLB transactions page. The veteran is facing shoulder surgery after a hard fall in late February. The injury ended his bid to earn a roster spot with Boston.
As Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com notes, Rodgers could be headed toward a renegotiated deal with the Red Sox as he recovers from the shoulder issue. The former Rockie signed a minor league agreement in early February. If Rodgers is going to miss the entire season, Boston could look to ink him to a two-year contract, similar to a free agent pitcher rehabbing from Tommy John surgery.
Rodgers was competing for second base reps with Marcelo Mayer, Isiah Kiner-Falefa, and David Hamilton. The Caleb Durbin trade clarified some of the questions in the Boston infield, but it also sent Hamilton to Milwaukee. Andruw Monasterio came back in the swap and entered the second base conversation. Mayer ultimately secured the gig.
The 29-year-old Rodgers spent last season with the Astros. He broke camp with the team, but struggled mightily at the plate. The veteran posted a 55 wRC+ across 128 plate appearances. Rodgers’ strikeout rate ballooned to a career-worst 35.9%. An oblique strain in June effectively ended his season. Rodgers managed a couple of rehab appearances at Triple-A before electing free agency at the conclusion of the campaign.
Rodgers was among the most promising hitters in Colorado’s minor league system heading into the decade. He entered 2020 ranked No. 1 among Rockies’ prospects by FanGraphs and MLB Pipeline. A shoulder injury limited Rodgers in the shortened season, but he got his first extended look in 2021. The infielder slashed a respectable .284/.328/.470 in 415 plate appearances. He delivered similarly league-average numbers the following year. After 135 games of an 87 wRC+ in 2024, Rodgers hit free agency. He’s signed minor league deals the past two offseasons.
Photo courtesy of Troy Taormina, Imagn Images
I don’t see him as more than depth at this point, and “injured depth” at that.
Red Sox will not likely seek for his services any more
If I recall correctly, Rodgers was once thought of as having star potential but he never developed into the type of hitter that many expected him to be.
He was the third of the trio of good looking shortstops to be picked at the top of his draft year, having followed Swanson and Bregman. Then two picks after he was taken the Astros were able to select Kyle Tucker.
At the time, he was considered to have an even higher ceiling than either Swanson or Bregman. They usually do set the “ceiling” for high school players higher than college players, but he definitely had the talent. But sometimes in baseball you need a lot of luck to go along with that talent and Brendan just did not have the luck.
2015 Draft:
1. Dansby Swanson
2. Alex Bregman
3. Brendan Rodgers
4. Dillon Tate (didn’t pan out)
5. Kyle Tucker
Thing is. The #4 pick was Dillon Tate and he didn’t pan out!
He should be strictly bunting from now on hahaha
It shows you the amount of variance. Of the top-10 that year, 5 have combined for a 137.5 bWAR, and the other 5 combined for a 7.7 bWAR.
First round Bust
He won a Gold Glove. Hardly a bust. Slight disappointment? Sure. But not a bust.
Tough break. Hopefully, he can come back after he has healed
Where does BRAIDEN WARD fit into the roster?
Postseason designated pinch runner.
Gary – Yes! Aka the latest Dave Roberts/Quintin Berry.
Red Sox cut him after he got hurt? Ruthless. I thought teams usually let guys rehab but I guess not on minor league deals
Read the article please. And don’t go 0-162! Also, please.
I did read the article and it said exactly the same as me whylayzee. Improve your reading comprehension
SF – Safe to assume you’ll be updating your handle as the season progresses?
No I’m hoping the giants lose every game. FPG not known for his iq test scores
SF – Okay I’ll give you one more try, this time read it much slower without moving your lips:
Once the Giants win a game, your hope of them losing every game will no longer be a possibility and they will no longer be on pace to lose every game. So you’re gonna stick with it even when it becomes outdated?
A simple yes or no will suffice. There’s no right or wrong answer. My comment was in good fun, but you weren’t capable of realizing that and your response shows you possess an extremely low EQ.
I’m still waiting for SF to win a game so for the last few days you look foolish. Don’t raise your voice at me. Our team took your best player and put him where he belongs. Your team is a joke. How dare you act like I care what a silly Red Sox fan thinks. Your team is garbage. Clearly the apple doesn’t fall far from the Boston tree.
As a matter of fact, when you address the dodgers or their fans, you put some respect on our names by calling us back 2 back champs so you don’t look like such a chump. Haha. Lowly Red Sox fan shouldn’t even be allowed to speak to me. I’ll no longer read any of your replies until you take the title from us. So stay quiet and be humble.
He’s made $8+ mill in his career. He’ll be fine.
Cutting the crust off the poop sandwich.
Hard fall? Motorcycle crash? More or less ended hia career however he did it.
It was during a spring training play trying to make a defensive play I believe.
mlb.com/video/brendan-rodgers-exits-with-injury-in…
Actually a decent ballplayer who could be useful but he needs to be healthy. So many players seem to show promise but suffer injuries. And so it goes. Good luck to Mr. Rodgers, hope he finds his neighborhood on a beautiful day.
Sounds like a poor man’s Trevor Story.
Boston could look to ink him to a two-year contract
=================
No. Even before the injury, he was a minor league signing. You’re conflating Rodgers with guys you expect good second-year production.
I was quite happy when the Red Sox escaped this off-season without giving a rehabbing pitcher or player a 2 year deal to pay for their rehab and get no actual production out of them. They don’t need to do it with Rodgers.
He’s a weak side platoon bat. Anytime you have an ops variance of nearly 200 the lower side isn’t fit to be seen. .837 vs lhp though, hot stuff!
Saw him a California league game in 2017. He dominated vs whomever the Dodgers affiliate (Rancho). Thought we was going to huge.
He and Gavin lux are two I saw play in A+ ball and they looked two leagues better at then time.
Is Campbell not on the 26 man?
No, he’s on the 40 man though.