MLB Player News

Red Sox infielder Pedro Ciriaco made his first appearance of the season during Friday's series opener against the Blue Jays. Ciriaco came in for an injured Jose Iglesias, who suffered a right arm contusion, and made his presence felt.

He knocked in a run in the fourth inning and also added a double as he finished 2 for 4 with an RBI in a 6-4 victory. Ciriaco could see more time on the field depending on Iglesias' injury.

After receiving a look at the middle level toward the end of last season, Red Sox infield prospect Xander Bogaerts will begin the 2013 campaign at Double-A Portland, the Boston Globe reports. Bogaerts is regarded as the top prospect in the Red Sox organization by MLB.com -- even higher than outfielder Jackie Bradley -- and is expected to continue working as a shortstop with Portland.

Just 20 years old, Bogaerts displayed solid raw power with Class A Salem last season with 15 homers and 27 doubles en route to a .505 slugging percentage. He also went deep five times in 23 games following his late promotion to Double-A.

The Boston Red Sox made a few more cuts on Monday following a Grapefruit League loss to the Orioles. Boston reassigned shortstop and prospect Xander Bogaerts to minor-league camp. Infielders Drew Sutton and Jon Diaz will head to minor-league camp with Bogaerts. 

The 20-year-old Bogaerts hit .286 this spring after striking out in his only at-bat on Monday. He showed promise in the field and at the plate but the Red Sox weren't ready to let him go in the majors since he's never played above Double-A. He hit .326 over his final 92 at-bats last year with Double-A Portland after hitting .302 over 384 at-bats at Class A Salem. 

He is considered the No. 8 prospect in all of baseball by Baseball America to start the season. 

Red Sox infielder Pedro Ciriaco, who has been out with back spasms, was able to play in a Class A game on Monday, reports the Boston Globe. Ciriaco went 1-for-4 in that game with a double and two strikeouts. He should be considered healthy going forward. 

Boston infielder Pedro Ciriaco, who is dealing with back spasms, made it through a full workout for the Red Sox on Saturday, reports the Boston Globe. 

Boston is hoping to get Ciriaco in a game on Sunday, though it is unsure if it will be a major-league game or a minor-league game. 

Red Sox manager John Farrell said Thursday he's hopeful infielder Pedro Ciriaco, who has been sidelined by back spasms, will return to game action Saturday.

Red Sox top prospect Xander Bogaerts has returned following his appearance with the Netherlands in the World Baseball Classic, reports MLB.com on Tuesday. Boston manager John Farrell confirmed that Bogaerts will remain in big-league camp before getting sent down to the minors. 

"He'll get some reps at short, and possibly third base," said Farrell. "Make no mistake, he's still in our eyes a shortstop and we'll get him a few more at-bats here before he begins his regular season."

Farrell believes the WBC experience will help Bogaerts this season. 

"I think the experience he had with the WBC ... is all positive," Farrell said. "Would we have liked more at-bats? Sure. I think the fact that he played in that environment and on that stage outweighs maybe a few less at-bats he might have otherwise had here. All that being said, we're happy for the experience he went through."

Red Sox infielder Pedro Ciriaco was scratched Friday against the Twins due to back spasms, according to the Providence Journal. Ciriaco is listed as day to day. He was replaced by Deven Marrero in the starting lineup.