Another spot on the Red Sox' 40-man roster has been cleared out.
The Red Sox announced they have optioned Yairo Munoz -- an infielder who has seemingly transitioned full-time to outfield -- to Triple-A. Munoz had been on the 40-man roster, leaving the Red Sox with 38 players currently on the list.
The two spots allow for the Red Sox for some flexibility in the upcoming Rule 5 Draft later this week, or if another acquisition is made.
Munoz, who was picked up after being let go by the St. Louis organization in March, left a favorable impression on the Red Sox' big-league staff during his stint on the 2020 roster.
"He has the ingredients and to me as a hitting coach it's what he swings at," Red Sox hitting coach Tim Hyers said on the Bradfo Sho podcast regarding the 25-year-old Munoz, who hit .333 with an .844 OPS 44 at-bats (not walking once) in his 12 games. "He's a very aggressive hitter and he can put bat to ball, but as they make adjustments to him, the league, and they see what they can and what he can't do can he make those adjustments to be consistent.
"We talk around the cages that it's surviving. Survive the day. Survive the week. Survive for certain pitchers that you don't match up with very well with. Can you make those adjustments. That's what we're trying to work with him on. That's our responsibility with him to help him see some of the things that teams are doing to him. But talent-wise, he has the talent to hit. He's got bat speed. He's got bat-to-ball skills. He's aggressive. He's got lot of things you like, but can you put those things together consistently day in and day out? The jury is out."
Before joining the big-league club, Munoz also made his mark at the Red Sox' alternate site in Pawtucket.
"Munoz is probably one of my favorite guys this summer," said Worcester Red Sox manager Billy McMillon. "He was always happy. A ton of energy. He would play anywhere. Right before he got called up we kind of thought he might have to get to some more exposure to the outfield so for the last couple of days before he got called up we had him in the outfield.
"He's got a cannon. He's very aggressive at the plate. And he's very emotional. It was a delight to see him every day and interact with him. You could see why he had as much time in the big leagues as he had just because of how he goes about his business. I really liked being around Munoz this summer."