The Boston Red Sox somehow managed to get through the 2025 season with essentially one dependable catcher. Rookie Carlos Narvaez, acquired in an under-the-radar offseason trade with the New York Yankees, handled 112 games behind the plate.
He shared time with Connor Wong, who caught 61 games but struggled mightily offensively, posting a .190 average, .500 OPS, and just one home run in 188 plate appearances.
In early August, the Red Sox finally added a third catcher, claiming Ali Sánchez off waivers from the Toronto Blue Jays on August 8. What followed was one of the stranger stories of Boston’s season.
The 28-year-old Venezuelan journeyman wound up being acquired twice by the Red Sox in 2025, yet appeared in only four games, logging two plate appearances—one as a pinch hitter—and going hitless with a strikeout.
After initially joining Boston, Sánchez was designated for assignment just 10 days later to clear a roster spot for first baseman Nathaniel Lowe, who had been claimed from Washington. Choosing free agency rather than a minor league assignment, Sánchez signed with the New York Mets on August 23. His stay there was brief: eight days later, the Mets traded him back to Boston for cash considerations.
Rejoining the Red Sox as rosters expanded in September, Sánchez again saw minimal action. On September 21, he was DFA’d once more and, after clearing waivers, was assigned to Triple-A Worcester. With the minor league season already over, he reported to the Red Sox’s facility in Fort Myers, Florida, to stay ready for potential postseason duty—but never appeared. He remained with the club through their wild card elimination at the hands of the Yankees.
Because he had previously been outrighted off the 40-man roster, Sánchez became a free agent at season’s end and is expected to seek another opportunity—likely on a minor league deal.
Ironically, Sánchez’s most memorable on-field moment of 2025 came before his Boston stint. While with the Blue Jays on July 29, he pitched the eighth inning of a blowout loss to Baltimore, surrendering two runs on three hits. Yet he managed a unique highlight—striking out Alex Jackson with a 35-mph eephus pitch, the slowest recorded strikeout pitch in MLB that season.
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