Spring Training cuts

Boston made an important Spring Training cut today, optioning C Ryan Lavarnway to Pawtucket.  There was some speculation that Lavarnway - a top prospect who has torn up Minor League pitching and has looked capable of making the next step to the Majors - would be awarded the starting catcher's job over incumbent C Jarrod Saltalamacchia.

The Mets have also gone through their most recent wave of cuts, beginning on Thursday when they optioned SS Jordany Valdespin to Buffalo.  On Friday, they then optioned RHP Chris Schwinden to Buffalo.  In addition, the team signed LF Bobby Scales, who was released in Spring Training by the Cubs, to a Minor League contract today.

The Yankees have also been tweaking their roster since last Tuesday, when they claimed C Craig Tatum on waivers from Arizona and signed 1B Steve Pearce - a free agent who had been released by Minnesota this Spring - to a Minor League contract.  On Thursday, they outrighted Tatum to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.  He has the option of refusing the assignment and becoming a free agent.  And today, they signed RHP Jason Bulger - who had been released by Minnesota this Spring - to a Minor League contract.

Spring Training cuts

Boston made another series of Spring Training cuts on Tuesday, with one of them having major ramifications on the makeup of the team in 2012.  1B Lars Anderson was optioned to Pawtucket in a move that was expected all season long.  But in another major move, SS Jose Iglesias was also optioned to Pawtucket.  Iglesias was battling for a position as the team's starting shortstop, but that job now appears to have gone to IF/OF Mike Aviles.

Spring Training Cuts

The Red Sox and Mets have made another wave of Spring Training cuts in an attempt to trim their active rosters down to 25 for Opening Day.

Yesterday, Boston optioned RHP Clayton Mortensen, RHP Junichi Tazawa, and C Luis Exposito to Pawtucket.

Also yesterday, the Mets optioned 2B Josh Satin to Buffalo.