Well then.
On Friday morning the Red Sox informed Hanley Ramirez that they will designate him for assignment in order to open a spot on the roster for Dustin Pedroia, who will return from the disabled list on Friday.
The Boston Globe's Alex Speier was first to report the news. The team now has seven days to trade or release him.
The surprising move likely is related to his $15-plus million salary remaining this year and then next year's vesting option worth $22 million. Ramirez was on pace to reach the number of at bats needed for his contract for next year to kick in.
Ramirez is in the midst of an 0-for-20 slump, but was off to a decent start to the year. The 34-year-old was hitting .254 with six homers and 29 RBIs in 44 games. Mitch Moreland will likely become the full-time first baseman with potentially Blake Swihart getting some starts as well.
It seemed trading Swihart or sending Jackie Bradley Jr. or Brock Holt down to the minors were the more logical moves to get Pedroia on the roster, but as we've seen before Dave Dombrowski is not afraid of taking a risk, which this seems to be.





