Garrett Cooper’s recent journey through Major League Baseball has certainly been eventful this season. Starting with the Cubs, he faced a designation for assignment in mid-April before moving to the Red Sox later on. Despite the change, he now finds himself in the position to explore new opportunities as a free agent. It’s a reminder of how dynamic professional sports can be, with players often navigating multiple team changes within a single season.
Garrett Cooper’s tenure with the Red Sox was challenging, particularly from an offensive standpoint. During his time with the team, which spanned over a month, he struggled at the plate, batting only .171. His offensive output included four doubles, five RBIs, and a low .455 OPS across 24 games.
Despite getting opportunities at first base and as the designated hitter, his performance fell short of expectations. The decision to designate him for assignment came as the team needed to make roster space for Masataka Yoshida’s return from injury, highlighting the competitive nature of roster management in professional baseball.
With Garrett Cooper no longer on the roster, the Red Sox have opted to rely on Dom Smith and Bobby Dalbec as their primary options at first base until Triston Casas returns. Additionally, they plan to utilize utility player Romy Gonzalez at first base once he is activated from the injured list. Gonzalez is currently in the midst of a rehab assignment with Triple-A Worcester and could be available for Saturday’s game against the Yankees, providing the team with added flexibility and depth in the infield.