In a surprising turn of events, the Boston Red Sox have reclaimed catcher and infielder Mickey Gasper after acquiring him off waivers from the Washington Nationals on Wednesday. This move sets the stage for the Merrimack, New Hampshire native to return for another round with the team he previously debuted with.
At 30 years old, Gasper now joins the Red Sox as their third catcher on the 40-man roster, following Carlos Narváez and Connor Wong. Throughout the offseason, the Sox have been actively exploring options to enhance their backup catching position. By bringing Gasper back into the fold, they secure a readily available player who can be called up if circumstances demand it.
Importantly, Gasper can also be assigned to the minor leagues if necessary, giving the team added flexibility.
Before reaching the majors, Gasper made a name for himself both at Merrimack High School and Bryant University. He officially launched his MLB career with the Red Sox in 2024, participating in 13 games but unfortunately finishing without a hit in 18 at-bats.
Last season, he played with the Minnesota Twins, where his performance saw him achieve a batting average of .158, along with two home runs and 11 RBIs over the course of 45 games.
The Nationals had recently picked him up off waivers but decided to designate him for assignment just nine days later, leaving him available for the Red Sox once again. While primarily known as a catcher, it is worth noting that Gasper has also showcased his versatility by playing both first base and second base during his time in the minor leagues.
Looking ahead, the first official workout for Red Sox pitchers and catchers is scheduled for Tuesday, marking the beginning of spring training.
For further updates or insights, feel free to reach out to Tim Healey at timothy.healey@globe.com or follow him on Twitter @timbhealey.
